The main concept is that the gas is heated. If a -20C start and 150C max temp were used the Hindenburg would be 80% as big and use about 20000 m^3,(if my memory is correct). This is a huge step away from the 1000000 m^3 that was used. The other advantage is that altitude ans load compensation...
Over the past 100 years or so, even before Count Zeppelin, there has not been that much inprovement in airship concepts. Count Zeppelin introduced the idea of a rigid balloon and from then not much has changed.
about 12 years ago I became interested in airships as a means of showing Africa to...
