Ep 10. What Destroyed the Hindenburg?

In the 10th episode of season 2 of show Curiosity, titled What Destroyed the Hindenburg?, we delve into one of the most iconic and tragic moments in aviation history. The episode explores the fateful day of May 6, 1937, when the Hindenburg, a German airship, caught fire killing 36 people on board.

The episode begins by giving us a glimpse of the Hindenburg, its grandeur, and the excitement and hope it represented at the time. The Hindenburg was the largest flying object of the time and was seen as a symbol of technological advancement and modernity. However, all that changed on that fateful day when the airship, as many people watched in horror, burst into flames and crashed to the ground.

The show brings together a panel of experts, including historians, engineers, and scientists, to try and understand what caused the disaster. They examine different theories and evidence, including eyewitness accounts, photographs, and physical remains of the Hindenburg. One of the most compelling theories that the show explores is that of a static-electricity discharge that caused a spark, igniting the hydrogen gas that the airship was filled with.

The panel of experts conducts a series of experiments to test this theory. They use a replica of the Hindenburg's outer skin, made with the same materials as the original airship, and expose it to different levels of static electricity. The results are remarkable, as they observe how the discharge creates sparks, setting the skin on fire. The experiments provide a clear indication that static electricity could have played a role in the Hindenburg disaster.

The episode also examines other contributing factors to the disaster, such as the use of hydrogen gas as a lifting agent, which was highly flammable. The experts discuss how this gas was used because it was cheaper and more readily available than helium, which was a safer alternative. They also explore how the Hindenburg's design and construction may have made it particularly vulnerable to disaster, given that it was built using highly flammable materials like cellulose and cotton.

Throughout the episode, the experts share their insights and opinions on the disaster. They also provide a historical context for the event, discussing how it impacted public opinion at the time and how it led to changes in airship technology and safety.

The show is visually stunning, using a combination of archive footage, animated reconstructions, and computer-generated imagery to bring the Hindenburg disaster to life. The episode is both informative and intriguing, delving into the science and history of the event and providing a new perspective on one of the most significant disasters of the 20th century.

Overall, Curiosity season 2 episode 10 is a must-watch for anyone interested in aviation history, science, or engineering. The show provides a fascinating insight into the Hindenburg disaster, using a combination of expert opinions and cutting-edge technology to unravel one of the greatest aviation mysteries of all time.