Akron-based Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. has narrowed the list of possible names for the new airship that is the next generation of its famous blimp.<\/p>\n
Most are single-word offerings, a throwback to the marketing icon\u2019s early years when it sported monikers such as Pilgrim, Reliance and Volunteer.<\/p>\n
The winning name will net the person who made the submission a grand prize of access to the blimp for one day. The nine finalists will receive a set of Goodyear tires.<\/p>\n
Goodyear plans to christen the new airship this summer. It will replace the Spirit of Goodyear, which was retired after a record-setting 14 years of service.
\nThe company unveiled a model LZ NO7-101 blimp \u2014 built in conjunction with German-based Zeppelin Luftschifftechnik \u2014 that has a frame supporting the outer envelope. That\u2019s a change from GZ-20 models now being flown. Those blimps have no internal framework.<\/p>\n
The new design makes for a longer, sleeker blimp. It also will fly at a faster speed and can carry more passengers \u2014 12, along with two crew members.<\/p>\n
The new blimp will be based in Akron. Goodyear also operates Spirit of Innovation, based in Florida, and California-based Spirit of America. Its Asia-based airship is Ling Hang Zhe, which translates as Navigator.<\/p>\n
Goodyear blimps are best known for providing aerial television coverage of sporting events. The company has been flying blimps since 1925.<\/p>\n
The Akron Beacon Journal reports people submitted more than 15,000 suggestions through a naming contest. The ten finalists include Ambassador, Explorer, Inspiration and Pride of Goodyear.<\/p>\n