Akron in Summit County, Ohio — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Karl Arnstein
Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., June 7, 2011
1. Karl Arnstein Marker
The innovations of Dr. Karl Arnstein (1887-1974), an aerospace industry pioneer, form the foundation for lighter-than-air technology in use today. His mathematical proof and application of modern stress analysis allowed the construction of larger, stronger rigid airships. Born in Prague, he led airship design at the Luftschiffbau-Zeppelin Company in Germany. Dr. Arnstein immigrated to Akron, Ohio, in 1924 to serve as vice-president of engineering at Goodyear-Zeppelin Corporation. With his team of twelve German immigrant engineers, Arnstein oversaw development of the Navy's dirigibles Akron and Macon. He received 35 U.S. aviation related patents, from designs for hollow metal girders to an aerodynamic airship hanger, the Airdock in Akron. From 1940 until retirement in 1957, Dr. Arnstein headed engineering at Goodyear Aircraft Corporation, a leading aerospace contractor, which produced more than 200 Navy blimps, 4,000 Corsair fighter planes, plus airplane and missile parts.
Erected 2003 by The Lighter-Than-Air Society and The Ohio Historical Society. (Marker Number 30-77.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Air & Space • Industry & Commerce
this page online
Location. 41° 2.55′ N, 81° 27.78′ W. Marker is in Akron, Ohio, in Summit County. Marker is on Triplett Boulevard (Ohio Route 241), on the right when traveling east. Marker is in the parking lot median, about 50 feet north of the original Akron Fulton Airport terminal building, behind the bust of Christopher Columbus. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Akron OH 44312, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Akron Fulton Airport Champions Raceway (here, next to this marker); Airdock (here, next to this marker); Motorless Flight (a few steps from this marker); The Soap Box Derby (approx. 0.4 miles away); Alaskan Totem Pole (approx. 0.4 miles away); Franklin Augustus "F. A." Seiberling and The Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company (approx. 2 miles away); Middlebury Cemetery (approx. 2.3 miles away); Middlebury Lodge No. 34 F.&A.M. (approx. 2.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Akron.
More about this marker.
Photographed By J. J. Prats, August 23, 2019
2. Karl Arnstein, Champions Raceway and Airdock Markers
This marker, at its new location. It is the leftmost marker.
Regarding Karl Arnstein. A biography, When Giants Roamed the Sky: Karl Arnstein and the Rise of Airships from Zeppelin to Goodyear, was written by Dale Topping.
Also see . . . Karl Arnstein. (Submitted on June 15, 2011, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., June 7, 2011
3. Original Location of Karl Arnstein and Airdock Markers
Markers were originally erected about 350 feet northeast of the original Akron Fulton Airport terminal building and about 150 feet ESE of the Triplett Boulevard roundabout. They were moved between 2011 and 2019 to the median in front of the airport terminal, behind the statue of Christoper Columbus.
Photographed By Unknown, undated
4. Karl Arnstein Photo on Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on November 19, 2019. It was originally submitted on June 15, 2011, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 1,058 times since then and 63 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on June 15, 2011, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. 2. submitted on November 19, 2019, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. 3. submitted on June 16, 2011, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. 4. submitted on June 15, 2011, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.
