Hugo Eckener was the manager of the Luftschiffbau Zeppelin during the inter-war years, and the commander of the famous Graf Zeppelin for most of its record-setting flights, including the first airship flight around the world, making him the most successful airship commander in history.
22 Facts About Hugo Eckener
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Hugo Eckener was responsible for the construction of the most successful type of airships of all time.
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Hugo Eckener then began his military service in the Infantry Regiment 86 in Flensburg.
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Hugo Eckener later became a correspondent for the Frankfurter Zeitung in 1905 and 1906, whilst writing a book on the social effects of capitalism.
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Hugo Eckener was so impressed by him that during October 1908 he agreed to be a part-time publicist for the Zeppelin Company.
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Hugo Eckener became extremely interested in airships, and joined the company on a full-time basis.
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However, when Hugo Eckener attempted his first flight on 16 May 1911 in the LZ 8, christened Deutschland II, he decided to launch it in a strong wind, which pushed the craft into the hangar wall, damaging it seriously.
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Hugo Eckener captained the airship on its delivery flight to Lakehurst, New Jersey.
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The ship was saved only by Hugo Eckener's skilled piloting and the courage of his son, Knut Hugo Eckener, and other crew members who climbed out onto the fin to repair the damage.
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Hugo Eckener captained Graf Zeppelin during most of its record-setting flights, including the 1928 first intercontinental passenger airship flight, the 1929 flight around the world and the 1931 Arctic flight.
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Hugo Eckener did not make any secret of his dislike of the Nazis and the disastrous events he foresaw.
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Hugo Eckener criticised the regime frequently, and refused to allow the Nazis to use the large hangars at Frankfurt for a rally.
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Hugo Eckener had always made safety his absolute priority during his many years managing airship operations.
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Hugo Eckener was in Graz, Austria when he heard news of the Hindenburg disaster on 6 May 1937.
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Hugo Eckener had by this time little influence on the Zeppelin Company.
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Hugo Eckener survived World War II despite his disagreements with the Nazis.
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In 1945, Johannes Weyl and Hugo Eckener co-founded the regional newspaper and Hugo Eckener started writing for German-French co-operation.
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In November 1945 Hugo Eckener was confronted with the charge of collaboration with Nazi Germany.
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Hugo Eckener remained active in local politics campaigning for a German majority in Flensburg, while at the same time, during a "thundering" one-hour speech in 1951, warning against small-mindedness in border concerns.
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Hugo Eckener died in Friedrichshafen on 14 August 1954 just after his 86th birthday.
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Hugo Eckener was responsible for many innovative aviation developments, notably the trans-Atlantic passenger services offered by the airships Graf Zeppelin and Hindenburg.
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Hugo Eckener wrote or contributed to 24 publications, including two books in English:.