What type of aircraft were the Graf Zeppelin and Hindenburg?

The Graf Zeppelin and Hindenburg were both examples of airships, specifically rigid airships known as zeppelins. These massive aircraft utilized a framework that kept their shape and were filled with lighter-than-air gases, such as hydrogen or helium, which provided the buoyancy necessary for flight. Airships were prominent in the early 20th century for passenger travel and various other applications, including reconnaissance and air travel. Their unique design allowed them to cruise at relatively low speeds and altitudes compared to fixed-wing aircraft, offering a different kind of aerial experience.

Conventional jetliners are entirely different in design and operation, relying on jet engines for thrust and wings for lift. Helicopters utilize rotor blades to achieve lift and can hover, unlike the large, slower flying airships. Gliders are unpowered aircraft that rely on thermal lifts and are typically much smaller and designed for different types of flight. Understanding the characteristics and functions of these various aircraft types helps clarify the distinctness of airships within aviation history.