City of Zeppelins - Friedrichshafen / GZG

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Graf Zeppelin - the foolish inventor of the Flying Cigars

Count Ferdinand of Zeppelin is probably one of the most famous pioneers of aviation. He was very popular among his fellow citizens although at first many of them called him "Foolish Count", because they couldn't believe in his inventions. But as soon as the first Zeppelin flew, the small and potbellied Count who had a bald head and a white monstache was celebrated by everyone. Another characteristic feature was his blue uniform and his white sailor's cap. Even today Graf Zeppelin is well remembered in our town, where he was made freeman in 1907. For example our school is called after him.

From a lieutenant to an inventor

On July 8th, 1838 Ferdinand Graf von Zeppelin was born in Constance on Lake Constance. As a twelve-year-old boy, he began to be more and more interested in technology. From the age of 17 onwards he attended the military academy in Ludwigsburg, where he got a good military education. He served in the army willingly and dependably, that's why he was appointed first lieutenant in 1858.

In February 1863 he undertook a military educational journey to the USA, where the civil war was going on a that time, because he wanted to get to know the war at close range.

In August of the same year he flew with a hot-air ballon for the first time, which reached a height of 700 meters, which was very high for that time. This experience heightened his interest in aeronautics. After quarrels with his superiors he left the army in 1890. Now he had enough time for his main interests: technology and aeronautics. He got the idea to build an airship from a friend, who was interested in fast postal delivery. At first he thought of a dirigibly "air train" with waggons that could be connected and taken off as required. This idea was patented and in 1899 construction was started. During the construction the "air train" transformed gradually into a Zeppelin. In 1900 the first Zeppelin took off above Lake Constance. Until Graf Zeppelin's death on 8th March 1917, 130 Zeppelins were built under his supervision. 96 of them were used in the First World War.

By:Attendant Teachers:
Katja FraessleWolfgang Currlin
Viona HessAngelika Weyler
Steffi Koenig
Veronika Lanz