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Blimps | |
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Blimps are large balloons stretched out to look like an egg or cigar. Blimps are full of gas (helium). This makes them lighter than air. A blimp can carry people.
By adding a keel and framework blimps became much bigger. Using engines and propellers the blimp can go up, down and forward. Controls help the blimp stay straight and steady. A blimp can fly against the wind. Some blimps crossed the Atlantic ocean carrying passengers. This happened before the first airplane did it! People usually ride in a gondola, a large box or room under the blimp. Long ago many people wanted to ride in blimps to go places. Airplanes were not yet carrying passengers. But, many blimps crashed or blew up (before using helium), so people decided not to ride in them. 
Today, blimps are much safer (after using helium) and a few people ride in them for special reasons. Most people have seen the Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company blimp and maybe the Fuji Camera Films blimp. 
Sometimes, if you are at a sports event you will see a blimp above the stadium. Other people rent a blimp to go sight seeing. After all these years blimps are still soaring!
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