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H2
Characteristics
Designing with H2
Main Safety Page
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- The most famous accident involving
hydrogen directly occurred May 6, 1937, when the
hydrogen-filled Zeppelin caught fire in midair.
- Many experts feel hydrogen’s “bad rap” can be traced
to this incident and the newsreel footage we have all seen.
- 35 people died in the tragedy, but no one suffered
burns from hydrogen.
In fact, most of the deaths were due to people jumping,
the others were killed by burning upholstery or diesel fumes.
- The 62 people who stayed on board and avoided the
toxic smoke all survived.
- Although the hydrogen burned once the Zeppelin
caught fire, recent research completed by retired NASA
scientist Addison Bain showed the detonation was caused by
the high-volatility paint used on the outside of the balloon.
The Hindenburg would have burned with or without the
hydrogen.
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