Series 1

Box 1

Childhood/Education (1923-1929). This series contains scrapbooks, photographs (located in map drawers), yearbooks, textbooks, and other memorabilia documenting HGD's college years at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

Series 2

Box 2 - Box 4 FF 17

Goodyear-Zeppelin Corporation (1931-1938). This series contains lesson plans, correspondence, engineering reports, flight data reports, engineering publications, manuals, magazine articles, and other memorabilia documenting HGD's work with the Goodyear-Zeppelin Corp. in both the United States and Germany. This includes his experiences as Goodyear's representative to the Luftschiffbau Zeppelin (German Airship Construction Company) and his flights on the Graf Zeppelin and Hindenburg. This series is subdivided into the following topics: Goodyear training program; correspondence; German airship flights; engineering reports and data; German aviation and engineering publications; American airship aviation; and American aviation publications.

Series 3

Box 4 FF 18-36

Personal Material (1951-1995). This series contains correspondence, newspaper and magazine articles, and other memorabilia documenting HGD's role as a pioneer in the airship industry. Included is correspondence between HGD and airship enthusiasts and newspaper and magazine articles concerning HGD's personal experiences with the Hindenburg.

Series 4

Box 5-7

Book and Video (1983-1993). This series contains correspondence, transcripts, screenplays, and photocopies of research material used by HGD in co-authoring his book The Golden Age of the Great Passenger Airships: Graf Zeppelin and Hindenburg and acting as a consultant for the film Hindenburg: An American Story which documents his experiences with zeppelins in Nazi Germany. Included is correspondence between HGD and Doug Robinson, his co-author, the Smithsonian Institution Press, the publisher of the book, and photocopies of numerous letters and reports written by HGD during his time with the Goodyear Zeppelin Corp.

Series 5

Box 8-9

Lectures (1973-1994). This series contains lecture notes, correspondence, advertisement flyers, and videotape and audio tape recordings which document the numerous speeches that HGD made to civic and professional organizations around the country concerning the history of rigid airships and his personal experiences in Nazi Germany.

Series 6

Box 10-12

Photographs (1925-1938). This series contains photo albums, photographs, negatives, and films in VHS format documenting HGD's experiences with airships in Nazi Germany during the 1930s and his personal life. Included are photographs of his ski trips, European sightseeing tours, his college life, and various airships including the construction and flight operations of the Graf Zeppelin, Hindenburg, Graf Zeppelin II, USS Macon, USS Akron, and Goodyear blimps and balloons. Also included are the photographs HGD used in his book The Golden Age of the Great Passenger Airships: Graf Zeppelin and Hindenburg. Additionally, videocassette containing HGD's personal 8mm films from Germany and several other airship films are also included.

Series 7

Box 13 and Oversized

Oversized (1925-1956). This series contains a magazine, college scrapbook, photographs, blueprints, and several navigational charts. Of special interest are the original navigational charts from the Hindenburg used on several of its flights to North and South America during 1936.

Series 8

Box 14-16

Artifacts and Memorabilia (1929-1938). This series contains memorabilia, artifacts, and original technical reports and correspondence relating to HGD's personal experiences with zeppelins including his involvement in the construction, test flight operations, and as a crewmember on the passenger flights of the Graf Zeppelin and Hindenburg. Also included are several of HGD's personal belongings including his pilot licenses, travel visas, passports, identification cards, and flight log books. Note: These boxes are located in secure range 2A.

Series 1 – Childhood/Education (1923-1929)

Box 1

FF 1

Childhood summer camp (1923-1929)- Canoe trip provisions list, June 8, 1929; U.S. Geological Survey map of Lake Winnipesaukee (Camp Lawrence), 1917; Camp Lawrence commemorative booklet entitled Ye Kamp Krier, 1923; a picture postcard of Harold G. Dick's high school in Lawrence, Massachusetts.

Box 1

FF 2

Photographs (1925)- Scrapbook containing 29 photographs depicting summer camp life.

Box 1

FF 3

ROTC paperwork (1925-1927)- Certificate appointing Harold G. Dick (HGD) a corporal in the ROTC, Cambridge, MA, May 1, 1925; ROTC certificate awarded to HGD for the Air Corps Advanced Course, July 28, 1927; orientation booklet for Langley Field, VA, 1927; a special order awarding HGD his pistol marksman qualification, July 25, 1927.

Box 1

FF 4

M.I.T. memorabilia (1925-1929)- Christmas cards from HGD and a college friend; telegram dated January 21, 1929, offering HGD a job at Goodyear; M.I.T. Inter-Class Track Meet pamphlet, April 20, 1925; Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Department of Mechanical Engineering stationary; M.I.T. gymnastics team photograph in presentation folder; and HGD's official M.I.T. grade transcripts and alumni card.

Box 1

FF 5

M.I.T. Thesis (1929)- HGD's thesis submitted to the Mechanical Engineering Department entitled The Humidity Box As a Means of Determining Moisture Regain.

Box 1

FF 6

M.I.T. Freshman Gray Book 1928

Box 1

FF 7

M.I.T. yearbook, The Technique, 1925.

Box 1

FF 8

M.I.T. yearbook, The Technique, 1926.

Box 1

FF 9

M.I.T. yearbook, The Technique, 1927.

Box 1

FF 10

M.I.T. yearbook, The Technique, 1928.

Series 2 – Goodyear-Zeppelin Corporation (1931-1938)

Box 2

FF 1

Mechanical Engineers' Handbook, by Lionel S. Marks (New York: McGraw-Hill Book Company, 1924).

Box 2

FF 2

Handbook of Chemistry and Physics, by Charles D. Hodgman and Nobert A. Lange (Cleveland: Chemical Rubber Publishing Co., 1924).

Box 2

FF 3

Tables and Diagrams of the Thermal Properties of Saturated and Superheated Steam, by Lionel S. Marks and Harvey N. Davis (New York: Longmans, Green and Co., 1929). Also included is a copy of HGD's thermodynamics class final examination on January 27, 1930.

Box 2

FF 4

Aerodynamic Theory Vol. 6, by W.F. Durand (Berlin: Julius Springer, 1936). Includes sections concerning the aerodynamics and performance of airships.

Box 2

FF 5

Goodyear-Zeppelin Staff Training Lectures, Volume I, Registered No. GZST-10 (1931)- Contains a summary of the Goodyear-Zeppelin staff training program, copies of lectures concerning airship topics, a schedule of training, and some penciled in notes by HGD.

Box 2

FF 6

Goodyear-Zeppelin Staff Training Lectures, Volume II, Registered No. GZST-10 (1931)- Contains additional company lectures concerning airship topics for the Goodyear-Zeppelin staff training program.

Box 2

FF 7

Staff Training Lectures (1933)- Contains HGD's notes, papers, and examinations from his staff training courses.

Box 2

FF 8

"Inspection System" (1932)- Contains a report describing the factory inspection of incoming material for the construction of two Navy rigid airships, ZRS-4 and ZRS-5, to be built by Goodyear.

Box 2

FF 9

Engineering Papers (1931)- Includes Goodyear-Zeppelin Corporation reports entitled "Derivation of Lift Equation," "Fatigue Problems in the Aircraft Industry," and "Stress Model of a Complete Airship Structure."

Box 2

FF 10

(1931-1932)- Contains lesson plans, notes, and exams for various engineering topics HGD studied during airship ground school at the Naval Air Station, Lakehurst, New Jersey.

Box 2

FF 11

(1931-1932)- Contains HGD's notes concerning the organizational structure, policies, and procedures of the Goodyear-Zeppelin Corporation. Also included is an organizational chart for the Goodyear-Zeppelin Corporation dated November 1, 1931.

Box 2

FF 12

(1931-1932)- Contains a ground school binder that is divided into subsections entitled "Dock Maintenance," "Navigation," "Aerology," "Balloons," "Engineering," and "Operations."

Box 2

FF 13

(1934)- Contains a U.S. Navy lesson plan entitled "Preliminary Ground Course in Aerology."

Box 2

FF 14

(1934)- Contains a U.S. Navy, Bureau of Navigation, syllabus and lesson plans for general airmanship entitled "Syllabus for the Training of Student Naval Aviators (Airship) and Student Naval Aviation Observers (Airship)."

Box 2

FF 15

(1934)- Contains part of a U.S. Navy airship manual containing chapters concerning power plants, navigation, and regulations.

Box 2

FF 16

(1934)- Contains part of a U.S. Navy airship manual containing chapters concerning ground handling, materials construction and design, and dock maintenance.

Box 2

FF 17

(1934)- Contains part of a U.S. Navy airship manual containing chapters concerning aerostatics, helium, aerodynamics, and parachutes.

Box 2

FF 18

Rigid Airship Manual, 1927, Department of the Navy, Bureau of Aeronautics (Washington, D.C.: United States Government Printing Office, 1928).

Box 3

FF 1

Letters from Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company (1934-1935)- Contains correspondence between HGD and officials from the Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company and the U.S. Naval Air Station at Lakehurst, New Jersey concerning various airship topics. Also included is a report concerning the loss of the non-rigid airship Puritan in Louisville, Kentucky, on May 1, 1935, written by the pilot, H. Webster Crum.

Box 3

FF 2

Personal (1934-1935)- Contains correspondence and telegrams between HGD and several individuals in the Goodyear-Zeppelin Corporation and the Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company concerning company training, employment, salary, reimbursement, and other administrative matters.

Box 3

FF 3

Letters from Doc Arnstein (1936-1938)- Contains correspondence between HGD and Dr. Karl Arnstein, Vice-President and Chief Engineer of the Goodyear-Zeppelin Corporation concerning airship development, design problems, and other technical aspects of the industry. Also included are letters concerning the crash of the Hindenburg, reports concerning the use of helium, and correspondence with other company officials.

Box 3

FF 4

Letters- Fickes, Wicks, P.W.L., Mills, Peck (1936-1938)- Contains handwritten and typed correspondence between HGD and several of his Goodyear-Zeppelin Corp. colleagues including Karl Fickes, Zeno Wicks, W. Klemperer, and Tom Knowles concerning airship engineering topics. Also included is a technical report concerning the Goodyear airships delivered to the U.S. Navy including the Los Angeles, Akron, Macon, and Shenendoah.

Box 3

FF 5

Copies to von Meister (1936-1938)- Contains correspondence between HGD and F.W. von Meister, Vice-President of American Zeppelin Transport, Inc., and Tom Knowles concerning the availability of helium and various airship engineering problems including exhaust manifolds and a water recovery system.

Box 3

FF 6

Reserve (Navy) (1938-1945)- Contains correspondence between HGD and officials from the U.S. Navy and the Selective Service System concerning his status as a member of the Naval Reserve and his knowledge of airship design. Also included is a report on tire and brake contracts with the Army Air Force at Wright Field, Ohio.

Box 3

FF 7

Miscellaneous Correspondence (1938-1946)- Contains an envelope addressed to the U.S. House of Representatives with the heading "Value of Airships" stamped on it; several weekly expense reports; a telegram from HGD to P.W. Litchfield, President of the Goodyear Zeppelin Corp., announcing the first flight of an unknown vessel; and correspondence from several members of the Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company after HGD had left that company and moved to Wichita to work for the Spines Clothing Company.

Box 3

FF 8

Miscellaneous airship passenger memorabilia(1935)- Contains navigational charts and graphs; decals from several establishment visited by HGD during his trips to Rio De Janeiro and London; a German postcard of the Alps; a poem about HGD's crossing of the equator on the Graf Zeppelin for the first time; correspondence from airship author J.A. Sinclair concerning the R-36; correspondence from an unknown author concerning the crash of the airship Macon; photocopies of the passenger lists, menus, tickets, airship base passes, and mail postmarks for the passenger flights of the Graf Zeppelin and Hindenburg between Germany and North and South America; and a photocopy of a certificate recording the Hindenburg's first crossing of the equator on March 4, 1936.

Box 3

FF 9

Flight Reports LZ-129, LZ-130 and Description LZ-130 (1936)- Contains an original typescript of HGD's firsthand account of his experiences aboard these two airships during their test flights. They include a complete account of every aspect of these flights to include detailed reports on various engineering aspects, personal observations, technical data, and original detail drawings and charts.

Box 3

FF 10

Flight data/Test Flights LZ-129/Reports (1935-1939)- Contains HGD's typed and handwritten notes concerning the flights of the Hindenburg to North and South America. Also included are weather reports and engineering computations performed by HGD.

Box 3

FF 11

(1937) Contains numerous HGD technical reports and diagrams comparing the operational performance of various aircraft and airships including the Hindenburg.

Box 3

FF 12

Auswertung des 60.Fahrtberichts LZ 129 (1937)- Contains reports and engineering graphs in German documenting the performance of the Hindenburg (LZ-129) on a flight between Rio De Janeiro and Frankfurt on March 27, 1930.

Box 3

FF 13

Airship Performance, Description and Wts, LZ-129 (1937)- Contains statistics on the 1936 voyages of the Graf Zeppelin and Hindenburg; detailed descriptions, blueprints, and hand drawn diagrams concerning the design of these airships; and reports describing their inflation procedures and operational performance.

Box 3

FF 14

Report on Flight with Graf Zeppelin-1934 by Lt. Comdr. George Mills (1934)- Contains a report by Lt. Commander George Mills, U.S. Navy, concerning his observations as a crewmember on the Graf Zeppelin during trips between Germany and South America. This report includes numerous tables of technical data as well as detailed first hand accounts of certain aspects of each flight.

Box 3

FF 15

Report Submitted by Lt. Comdr. F.L. Worden, U.S.N. (1934)- Contains a report by Lt. Commander F.L. Worden, U.S. Navy, concerning his observations as a crewmember on four round trips on the Graf Zeppelin between Friedrichshafen, Germany, and Rio De Janeiro, Brazil, from 15 September 1934 to 6 November 1934. This report provides a detailed narrative account of these experiences.

Box 3

FF 16

Hindenburg Data Sheets (1936)- Contains several data tables and charts documenting the operational performance of the Hindenburg's first 11 voyages. Also included is a summary of Goodyear non-rigid airship characteristics and performance from June 3, 1925 to January 1, 1935.

Box 3

FF 17

LZ-130 (1937)- Contains numerous handwritten and typewritten research notes, drawings, graphs, charts, and engineering calculations concerning airship development including the design of the Graf Zeppelin II.

Box 3

FF 18

Flight Charts over North Atlantic (1936)- Contains copies of navigational charts depicting the first three North American flights of the Hindenburg between Frankfurt, Germany, and Lakehurst, New Jersey, during May and June of 1936. These charts depict the routes of flight and contain statistics about these crossings including duration, distance, fuel consumption, and meteorological observations.

Box 3

FF 19

Pilot Log Books (1932-1934)- Contains two pilot log books that document the date, duration, and the name of the Goodyear non-rigid airships that HGD flew on while employed with the Goodyear Zeppelin Corp.

Box 3

FF 20

(1933-1934)- Contains a 1933 pocket calendar and notebook containing typed and handwritten notes, calculations, dimensions, flight times, and other airship technical details; an airship bibliography; a list of airship correspondence to the Goodyear-Zeppelin Corp. of Akron, Ohio; a handwritten floor plan; and various other airship data and observations.

Box 3

FF 21

Miscellaneous Calculations (1938)- Contains handwritten calculations, charts, and graphs by HGD concerning a comparison of diesel versus gasoline engines, cowlings for air-cooled engines, and water recovery for LZ-129 (Hindenburg).

Box 3

FF 22

Miscellaneous Notes (1939)- Contains handwritten reports by HGD concerning the feasibility of transoceanic aircraft for such roles as airmail delivery, passenger service, and submarine patrols.

Box 3

FF 23

Frankfurt Gas Plant (1938)- Contains the dimensions of airship hangars in such places as Akron, Friedrichshafen, Rio De Janeiro, Frankfurt, and Lakehurst. Also includes a blank application for membership in the Institute of the Aeronautical Sciences.

Box 3

FF 24

(1939)- Contains HGD's handwritten charts, graphs, and engineering calculations concerning airship structural performances and comparisons of oceanic crossings by several modes of transportation including boats, aircraft, and airships.

Box 3

FF 25

Design Change Orders, ZRS-5 (1929-1932)- Contains reports, correspondence, schematic diagrams, blueprints, and tables of engineering and contractual data concerning the design and construction of the airships Akron and Macon by the Goodyear-Zeppelin Corporation.

Box 3

FF 26

(1934-1935)- Contains data on the 1934 flight of the Graf Zeppelin; a copy of the Congressional Record dated June 15, 1934, containing a speech by Representative Dow W. Harter of Ohio concerning the benefits of airships; a letter addressed to HGD and George Lewis concerning the transoceanic traveling experiences of a U.S. Bureau of Air Commerce official and his support of airships; a report entitled Ignorance vs the Airship; and a German magazine article concerning travel across the South Atlantic.

Box 3

FF 27

LZ-130 Test Flights and Description (1935)- Contains the original typescripts of HGD's English translation of The History of German Airship Development and George Lewis' translation of 30 Years of Airships, both in Friedrichshafen, Germany, 1935.

Box 3

FF 28

Flights LZ-129 Hindenburg (1935)- Contains a mimeographed copy of HGD's English translation of The History of German Airship Development and George Lewis' translation of 30 Years of Airships, both in Friedrichshafen, Germany, 1935.

Box 3

FF 29

LZ-132, Hilligardt-Sperger (1957-1958)- Contains a photocopy of a report written in German entitled Bericht uber die Luftschiffstudie LZ 132 by Erich Hilligardt and Andreas Sperger, and dated June 24, 1957. This report also includes various data tables and schematic drawings of an airship. A second report entitled II. Nachtrag zum Bericht uber die Luftschiffstudie LZ 132 300000 m3 Fahrgast- u. Frachtluftschiff and dated January 30, 1958 is also included.

Box 3

FF 30

Dienst-Anweisung der Deutschen Zeppelin-Reederei G.m.b.H. fur die Luftschiffbesatzungen (late 1930s)- A German manuscript concerning airships.

Box 3

FF 31

Gas- und Auftriebslehre sowie statische Verhaltnisse bei Luftschiffen (1930s)- A German manuscript containing mathematical equations concerning gases used in airships.

Box 3

FF 32

Airship Publications (German), Personal (1931-1939)- Contains several German airship publications concerning the development and design of both American and German airships. Includes technical diagrams, photographs, and scientific equations recounting the construction of these airships. A table of contents handwritten by HGD precedes the articles.

Box 3

FF 33

VDI: Zeitschrift des Vereines Deutscher Ingenieure, 28 March 1936 issue. The entire edition of this German engineering magazine is dedicated to "Das Luftschiff Hindenburg" and contains photographs, schematic drawings, and a description of its design and construction.

Box 3

FF 34

VDI: Verein Deutscher Ingenieure, Sonderheft Luftfahrt (1937)- A German engineering magazine focusing on models of German aircraft and their design and development.

Box 3

FF 35

ETZ: Elektrotechnische Zeitschrift, 26 March 1936. A German electrical engineering magazine that contains articles concerning the electrics of the Hindenburg.

Box 3

FF 36

Wo blieben unsere Zeppeline? (1930s)- A German pamphlet documenting the history and accomplishments of German airships from LZ-1 to LZ-127(Graf Zeppelin). Also included is a pamphlet entitled "Airship Voyages Made Easy," a 1978 reprint of a 1930s German advertisement extolling the benefits of the modern Zeppelin Airship as a means of transportation.

Box 3

FF 37

(1938)- Contains a collection of German aviation and mechanical engineering journals, magazine articles, and pamphlets.

Box 3

FF 38

Werkzeitschrift der Zeppelin Betriebe (1936-1938)- Contains several articles from issues of this German journal concerning the airship industry.

Box 3

FF 39

Miscellaneous (1938)- Contains an assortment of fold-out charts, articles, pamphlets, handwritten notes and equations, performance comparison tables, and other data concerning airships. Also included is a pamphlet entitled "A Memorandum on Airships" by Senator David Walsh, Chairman of the Naval Affairs Committee, concerning American airship development and utilization.

Box 3

FF 40

(1930s) Contains a Dornier aircraft booklet that includes ten loose sheets describing various airplane models manufactured by this company in both English and German text.

Box 4

FF 1

(1932-1937)- Includes five technical reports published by the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics including No. 430: "Measurements of Flow in the Boundary Layer of a 1/40-Scale Model of the U.S. Airship Akron;" No. 432: "Force Measurements on a 1/40-Scale Model of the U.S. Airship Akron;" No. 443: Pressure-Distribution Measurements on the Hull and Fins of a 1/40-Scale Model of the U.S. Airship Akron;" No. 566: "Ground-Handling Forces on a 1/40-Scale Model of the U.S. Airship Akron;" No. 604: "Pressure-Distribution Measurements at Large Angles of Pitch on Fins of Different Span-Chord Ratio on a 1/40-Scale Model of the U.S. Airship Akron."

Box 4

FF 2

(1933)- Contains an itinerary, authorizations, and instructions for HGD to be an observer on the third trial flight of the airship USS Macon. Dick would be performing research for the Goodyear-Zeppelin Corp. Standard atmosphere data tables are also included.

Box 4

FF 3

Weight Summary ZRS-5 (1933)- Contains data tables compiled by the Goodyear-Zeppelin Corp. comparing the weight of various parts of ZRS-5 (USS Macon) and ZRS-4 (USS Akron).

Box 4

FF 4

Operation Manual, ZRS-5, USS Macon, project's copy (1933)- This manual includes instructions on the operation of the USS Macon as recommended by the Goodyear-Zeppelin Corp. of Akron, Ohio. It also includes various data tables, graphs, and diagrams describing the performance parameters of this ship.

Box 4

FF 5

Special Committee on Airships Report No. 3: Technical Aspects of the Loss of the Macon, January 30, 1937. This report also includes several charts and graphs pertinent to the investigation surrounding the crash of the USS Macon on February 12, 1935.

Box 4

FF 6

General Presentation and Statement of Facts of the Goodyear-Zeppelin Corporation, February 27, 1939. This report is divided into two sections: the first entitled "General Presentation" makes a proposal in response to a bid for a naval training airship; the second part entitled "Statement of Facts of the Goodyear-Zeppelin Corporation: Organization, Personnel, and Facilities" contains detailed information about the employees of this company, its organizational structure, and its facilities.

Box 4

FF 7

"American Commercial Airships," Prepared by the Staff of American Zeppelin Transport, Inc., August 1, 1937. This report includes a description of the American Zeppelin Transport, Inc.; a history of airship travel including the performance of German passenger airships such as the Graf Zeppelin and the Hindenburg; and cost analysis and performance comparisons between aircraft and airship transoceanic travel.

Box 4

FF 8

(1938)- Contains several articles from aviation journals concerning the development of passenger aircraft and other aviation topics.

Box 4

FF 9

Miscellaneous Articles (1936-1939)- Contains several reports and articles concerning airships and passenger-carrying aircraft. Included are "Airship Costs and Casualties" by Commander C.E. Rosendahl, USN; "Ocean Airship Service" by Commander C.E. Rosendahl, USN; "The Large Flying Boat" by Igor I. Sikorsky; and the January 27, 1936 Congressional Record containing e report entitled "Design and Construction of Airships."

Box 4

FF 10

Contains a three page article entitled "Airing the Airline Crashes," by Stanley Washburn Jr. from Ken magazine, 29 December 1938.

Box 4

FF 11

Superiority of Flying Boats in Transocean Service: A Report to the United States Maritime Commission by the Aeronautical Chamber of Commerce of America, Inc., August 18, 1937.

Box 4

FF 12

Aircraft and the Merchant Marine by the United States Maritime Commission, November 13, 1937.

Box 4

FF 13

Trans-Atlantic Trans-Pacific Flying (1939)- Contains a scrapbook of newspaper and magazine articles concerning aircraft transoceanic passenger service.

Box 4

FF 14

Personal Experiences with "Lighter than Air" Craft by R.H. "Ducky" Ward, a mimeographed memoir prepared for the Airship Museum in Lakehurst, N.J., in April 1977. R.H. "Ducky" Ward was an officer in the U.S. Navy who spent most of his career flying all types of lighter than air craft.

Box 4

FF 15

National Geographic, issue of June 1930. Contains the article "The First Airship Flight Around the World." For this feat Dr. Hugo Eckener, chairman of the Zeppelin Company, was awarded the National Geographic Society's Special Gold Medal.

Box 4

FF 16

(1934-1938)- Contains miscellaneous items including an envelope of stickers from hotels that HGD stayed in during his airship travels; a magazine article advertising the world premier of the movie This Man's Navy, about U.S. Navy airships; a copy of a certificate HGD received after the Hindenburg crossed the equator for the first time; and a wine list from the Kurgarten Hotel in Friedrichshafen, Germany, were HGD was assigned with the Goodyear-Zeppelin Corp.

Box 4

FF 17

(1935-1948)- Contains post World War II correspondence between HGD and several of his former friends and coworkers in Germany including Dr. Hugo Eckener, former chairman of the Zeppelin Company.

Series 3 – Personal Material (1951-1995)

Box 4

FF 18

Manfred Bauer (1987-1988) Contains correspondence between HGD and Manfred Bauer, the son of a German airship officer who was an acquaintance of HGD during the 1930s. Also included are photographs of the Zeppelin hangar in Friedrichshafen, Germany.

Box 4

FF 19

Foerster/Flickinger (1978-1986)- Contains correspondence between HGD and Maynard Flickinger of Akron, Ohio, and Arthur Foerster of Lakewood, New Jersey, both members of the Lighter-Than-Air (LTA) Society, concerning airship history.

Box 4

FF 20

John Mellberg (1977-1989) Contains correspondence between HGD and John Mellberg, an industrial engineer from Racine, Wisconsin, concerning information about LZ-130, the Graf Zeppelin II. John Mellberg was constructing a flyable model of this airship and included many copies of photographs and diagrams of the Graf Zeppelin II in his attempt to gain some technical information from HGD.

Box 4

FF 21

George Watson (1986-1994)- Contains correspondence between HGD and George Watson of Litchfield Park, Arizona, concerning a new U.S. Navy airship project.

Box 4

FF 22

Airship (1986-1990)- Contains correspondence between HGD and A.D. Topping, editor of Buoyant Flight, the newsletter of the Lighter-Than-Air Society, concerning airship history and HGD's new book. Also included are copies of Buoyant Flight which contain a review of HGD's book The Golden Age of the Great Passenger Airships: Graf Zeppelin and Hindenburg.

Box 4

FF 23

Wally Denny (1990-1991)- Contains correspondence between HGD and Wally Denny of Litchfield Park, Arizona, concerning personal matters.

Box 4

FF 24

Miscellaneous Correspondence (1968-1987)- Contains correspondence between HGD and several individuals and organizations concerning airship related topics. Many of these individuals had a strong interest in lighter-than-air flight and they asked HGD many technical questions concerning 1930s era German and American airships. Their letters often included newspaper articles, photographs, and photocopies of other documents concerning the history of airships.

Box 4

FF 25

Miscellaneous correspondence (1988-1993)- continued

Box 4

FF 26

Kansas Aviation Hall of Fame (September 12, 1995)- Contains correspondence, programs, and photographs documenting HGD's induction to the Kansas Aviation Hall of Fame at the 16th Annual Wright Brothers Celebration held by the Kansas Aviation Museum in Wichita, Kansas. Included is a letter of congratulations by Governor Bill Graves; an induction program which included a short biography of HGD; a hand-drawn profile sketch of HGD by an unknown artist; and seven 8x10 photographs of HGD used as his induction picture.

Box 4

FF 27

Tom Swift: Comments, Photos, Talk (1969)- Contains the original text of a speech given by HGD about an airship that his company, Wichita Ponca Canvas Products, made as a prop for a Hollywood film. Included are photographs and newspaper clippings documenting the construction of this prop.

Box 4

FF 28

(1951)- Contains correspondence between HGD and Hubert Miller, a patent attorney from Wichita, Kansas, concerning HGD's attempt to patent a furnace with air humidifying capabilities. Also included are copies of other patents that closely resembled HGD's idea.

Box 4

FF 29

(1986)- Contains correspondence and a program concerning the ordination of HGD as a Deacon in the Episcopal Diocese of Kansas at the Grace Cathedral, Topeka, Kansas, on October 24, 1986.

Box 4

FF 30

(1983)- Contains three copies of Air Progress Aviation Review magazine, summer 1983 issue, which includes the article "Up Ship! Recalling the Days of the Great Passenger-Carrying Zeppelins" by Gene Smith. This article focuses on HGD's personal experiences with the German airships.

Box 4

FF 31

(1984)- Contains a copy of Collectibles Illustrated magazine, November/December 1984 issue, which includes the article "Count von Zeppelin's Dream Ships" by Kim Robert Nilsen.

Box 4

FF 32

(1993)- Contains a copy of American Heritage Invention and Technology magazine, summer 1993 issue, which includes the article "Lighter Than Air" by Peter Andrews.

Box 4

FF 33

(1975-1988)- Contains a collection of journals, pamphlets, and brochures concerning the history of airships including a pamphlet entitled Zeppelin Briefe, dated June 1988, from the Zeppelin Museum in Friedrichshafen, Germany; a pamphlet entitled Zeppelin Das fliegende Schiff; a pamphlet entitled The Boeing Airship by the Boeing Military Airplane Company, Wichita, Kansas; a copy of Aerostation, the journal of the Association of Balloon and Airship Constructors, autumn 1980 issue; a newsletter from the Association of Balloon and Airship Constructors, Spring 1979 edition; and Buoyant Flight, the bulletin of the Lighter-Than-Air Society, September/October 1978 and 1975 issues.

Box 4

FF 34

(1970-1997)- Contains a collection of magazine articles concerning the history of airships and the possibility of future airship development.

Box 4

FF 35

Airships (1931-1986)- Contains a collection of newspaper articles concerning the history of airships, especially German Zeppelins such as the Hindenburg, the development and future applications of airships and blimps, and the career and experiences of HGD.

Box 4

FF 36

Contains a paper model of the German airship LZ-127, the Graf Zeppelin.

Series 4 – Book and Video (1983-1993)

Box 5

FF 1

Doug Robinson (1983-1984)- Correspondence between HGD and Douglas H. Robinson, M.D., of Pennington, New Jersey, concerning the book The Golden Age of the Great Passenger Airships: Graf Zeppelin and Hindenburg, which they co-authored together. Most of their correspondence dealt with the editing, publication, and promotion of this book. Dr. Robinson was a psychiatrist and was also considered by many to be the foremost authority on the history of airships. He had authored several other books on the subject prior to his collaboration with HGD.

Box 5

FF 2

Doug Robinson (1985)- correspondence continued

Box 5

FF 3

Doug Robinson (1986-1993)- correspondence continued.

Box 5

FF 4

Smithsonian: Book (1984-1992)- Contains correspondence between HGD and members of the Smithsonian Institution Press including Ruth Spiegel, a staff editor, concerning the publication of his book The Golden Age of the Great Passenger Airships: Graf Zeppelin and Hindenburg.

Box 5

FF 5

Smithsonian (1986-1992)- Contains royalty statements and other financial correspondence from the Smithsonian Institution Press concerning the sales of HGD's book The Golden Age of the Great Passenger Airships: Graf Zeppelin and Hindenburg. Also included are Smithsonian Institution Press flyers and their book catalogs promoting this new book.

Box 5

FF 6

Book: Promotion (1985-1987)- Contains correspondence, catalogs, flyers, book reviews, and other advertisements promoting HGD's new book The Golden Age of the Great Passenger Airships: Graf Zeppelin and Hindenburg.

Box 5

FF 7

The Golden Age of the Great Rigid Airships: Graf Zeppelin and Hindenburg, chapters 1-9 (January 12, 1983)- Contains the original typescript of The Golden Age of the Great Rigid Airships: Graf Zeppelin and Hindenburg by Harold G. Dick with Douglas H. Robinson. This copy contains all of the original chapters with corrections and several foldout charts. The word "Rigid" was eventually replaced by "Passenger" in the book's title and chapters 16, 17, and 18 were eventually omitted by the Smithsonian Institution Press before publication.

Box 5

FF 8

The Golden Age of the Great Rigid Airships: Graf Zeppelin and Hindenburg, chapters 10-19 (January 12, 1983)- original typescript continued

Box 5

FF 9

The Golden Age of the Great Rigid Airships: Graf Zeppelin and Hindenburg, chapters 1-9 (January 12, 1983)- Contains copy no. 3 of the original typescript, complete with corrections.

Box 5

FF 10

The Golden Age of the Great Rigid Airships: Graf Zeppelin and Hindenburg, chapters 10-19 (January 12, 1983)- copy no. 3 continued

Box 5

FF 11

The Golden Age of the Great Rigid Airships: Graf Zeppelin and Hindenburg, chapters 1-9 (January 12, 1983)- Contains an additional copy of the original typescript with foldout charts.

Box 5

FF 12

The Golden Age of the Great Rigid Airships: Graf Zeppelin and Hindenburg, chapters 10-19 (January 12, 1983)- additional copy continued

Box 5

FF 13

The Golden Age of the Great Rigid Airships: Graf Zeppelin and Hindenburg, chapters 1-9 (January 12, 1983)- Contains copy no. 5 of the original typescript.

Box 5

FF 14

The Golden Age of the Great Rigid Airships: Graf Zeppelin and Hindenburg, chapters 10-19 (January 12, 1983)- copy no. 5 continued

Box 5

FF 15

The Golden Age of the Great Rigid Airships: Graf Zeppelin and Hindenburg, chapters 1-9 (January 12, 1983)- Contains a photocopy of the original typescript.

Box 5

FF 16

The Golden Age of the Great Rigid Airships: Graf Zeppelin and Hindenburg, chapters 10-19 (January 12, 1983)- photocopy continued

Box 5

FF 17

The Golden Age of the Great Rigid Airships: Graf Zeppelin and Hindenburg, chapters 1-6 (1982)- Contains the initial typed copy of the manuscript for The Golden Age of the Great Rigid Airships: Graf Zeppelin and Hindenburg that was used for editing purposes.

Box 5

FF 18

The Golden Age of the Great Rigid Airships: Graf Zeppelin and Hindenburg, chapters 7-9 (1982)- initial editing copy continued

Box 6

FF 1

The Golden Age of the Great Rigid Airships: Graf Zeppelin and Hindenburg, chapters 1-9 (1982)- Contains a revised typed copy of the manuscript for The Golden Age of the Great Rigid Airships: Graf Zeppelin and Hindenburg that was used for editing purposes. This revision contains fifteen chapters compared to the original version's nine chapters.

Box 6

FF 2

The Golden Age of the Great Rigid Airships: Graf Zeppelin and Hindenburg, chapters 10-15 (1982)- revised editing copy continued

Box 6

FF 3

The Golden Age of the Great Rigid Airships: Graf Zeppelin and Hindenburg, chapters 1-9 (1982)- Contains the third and final typed revision of the manuscript for The Golden Age of the Great Rigid Airships: Graf Zeppelin and Hindenburg that was used for editing purposes. This revision contains all nineteen chapters of the final manuscript with the exception of chapters 16, 17, and 18 which were eventually omitted by the publisher.

Box 6

FF 4

The Golden Age of the Great Rigid Airships: Graf Zeppelin and Hindenburg, chapters 10-19 (1982)- third typed and final revision continued

Box 6

FF 5

Additions to Graf Zeppelin and Hindenburg by Harold G. Dick (1982)- Contains photocopies of the unpublished chapters 16, 17, and 18 from The Golden Age of the Great Rigid Airships: Graf Zeppelin and Hindenburg that were removed from the manuscript by the publisher before printing. These chapters were entitled "Life Under the Nazis," "Mountain Climbing in the Alps," and "Reminiscences of Dr. Eckener," and focused on HGD's life in Germany while he was assigned there on airship research.

Box 6

FF 6

Additions to Graf Zeppelin and Hindenburg by Harold G. Dick (1982)- Contains photocopies of the unpublished chapters 16, 17, and 18 from The Golden Age of the Great Rigid Airships: Graf Zeppelin and Hindenburg that were removed from the manuscript by the publisher before printing. These chapters were entitled "Life Under the Nazis," "Mountain Climbing in the Alps," and "Reminiscences of Dr. Eckener," and focused on HGD's life in Germany while he was assigned there on airship research.

Box 6

FF 7

(1982)- Contains photocopies of the illustrations and captions used in HGD's book The Golden Age of the Great Passenger Airships: Graf Zeppelin and Hindenburg.

Box 6

FF 8

(1982)- Contains photocopies of the illustrations and captions used in HGD's book The Golden Age of the Great Passenger Airships: Graf Zeppelin and Hindenburg.

Box 6

FF 9

(1982)- Contains photocopies of the illustrations and captions used in HGD's book The Golden Age of the Great Passenger Airships: Graf Zeppelin and Hindenburg.

Box 6

FF 10

(1982)- Contains photocopies of the illustrations and captions used in HGD's book The Golden Age of the Great Passenger Airships: Graf Zeppelin and Hindenburg.

Box 6

FF 11

(1982)- Contains photocopies of the illustrations and captions used in HGD's book The Golden Age of the Great Passenger Airships: Graf Zeppelin and Hindenburg.

Box 6

FF 12

General Description LZ-129 Hindenburg 1934-1935-1936- Contains a photocopy of a typescript entitled General Description, possibly written by HGD, concerning the technical aspects of the Hindenburg in great detail. Several versions of this manuscript exist and each contain numerous charts, schematic diagrams, and data tables. This particular version also includes several original typed pages inserted within the manuscript.

Box 6

FF 13

LZ-129 Hindenburg General Description 1935-1936- Contains a photocopied version of the General Description manuscript concerning the technical aspects of the Hindenburg. This version contains no table of contents and has all of its schematic drawings at the end of the manuscript.

Box 6

FF 14

LZ-129 Hindenburg May 1934-July 1935- Contains the photocopy of a typescript entitled General Description of the LZ-129 by H.G. Dick. This manuscript describes the technical aspects of the Hindenburg in great detail and contains numerous schematic drawings. Several of the included chapters were written by G.H. Lewis.

Box 6

FF 15

LZ-129 Hindenburg May 1934-July 1935- Contains the photocopy of a typescript entitled General Description of the LZ-129 by H.G. Dick. This manuscript describes the technical aspects of the Hindenburg in great detail and contains numerous schematic drawings. Several of the included chapters were written by G.H. Lewis.

Box 6

FF 16

Photo Proof Sheets (1983)- Contains photocopies of the illustrations their accompanying captions as they would appear in HGD's book The Golden Age of the Great Passenger Airships: Graf Zeppelin and Hindenburg.

Box 6

FF 17

Correspondence May 1934-July 1935- Contains photocopies of correspondence between HGD and Dr. Karl Arnstein while HGD was in Germany as the representative of the Goodyear-Zeppelin Corp. Their correspondence concerned the technical aspects of German airship development. These letters are indexed by their subject matter in a table labeled "Book #1" and were used by HGD as sources for his book research.

Box 6

FF 18

Correspondence November 1935-May 1936- Contains photocopies of correspondence between HGD and Dr. Karl Arnstein while HGD was in Germany as the representative of the Goodyear-Zeppelin Corp. Their correspondence concerned the technical aspects of German airship development. These letters are indexed by their subject matter in a table labeled "Book #2" and were used by HGD as sources for his book research.

Box 6

FF 19

Correspondence October 20, 1936-November 17, 1938- Contains photocopies of correspondence between HGD and Dr. Karl Arnstein while HGD was in Germany as the representative of the Goodyear-Zeppelin Corp. Their correspondence concerned the technical aspects of German airship development. These letters are indexed by their subject matter in a table labeled "Book #3" and were used by HGD as sources for his book research.

Box 6

FF 20

Correspondence: Litchfield, Fickes, Navy (1934-1938)- Contains photocopies of handwritten and typed correspondence between HGD and several of his colleagues at the Goodyear-Zeppelin Corp. in Akron, Ohio, and officials in the U.S. Navy while HGD was acting as a company representative in Germany concerning airship research and development. These letters were used by HGD as sources for his book research.

Box 6

FF 21

Correspondence: Litchfield, Fickes, Navy (1934-1938)- Contains photocopies of handwritten and typed correspondence between HGD and several of his colleagues at the Goodyear-Zeppelin Corp. in Akron, Ohio, and officials in the U.S. Navy while HGD was acting as a company representative in Germany concerning airship research and development. These letters were used by HGD as sources for his book research.

Box 7

FF 1

South Atlantic Flights of the Graf Zeppelin- Contains photocopies of a typed manuscript written by HGD documenting the flights of the Graf Zeppelin between Germany and Brazil during the 1930s. This manuscript includes numerous charts, graphs, and data tables.

Box 7

FF 2

Reports of 1934 Flights of the Graf Zeppelin to South America- Contains a photocopy of a typed manuscript written by HGD documenting the flights of the Graf Zeppelin between Germany and Brazil during 1934. This manuscript includes numerous charts, graphs, and data tables.

Box 7

FF 3

Reports of 1934 Flights of the Graf Zeppelin to South America- Contains a photocopy of a typed manuscript written by HGD documenting the flights of the Graf Zeppelin between Germany and Brazil during 1934. This manuscript includes numerous charts, graphs, and data tables.

Box 7

FF 4

Flights LZ-129 Hindenburg- Contains a typed manuscript by HGD documenting the flights of the Hindenburg between Germany and North America during 1936 and 1937. Numerous data tables, correspondence, and fold-out navigational charts are included. This manuscript has both photocopied and original typed segments and is annotated as being vol. 4 of a larger work.

Box 7

FF 5

Flights LZ-129 Hindenburg- Contains a typed manuscript documenting the early flights of the Hindenburg including its test flights and the first trips to North and South America. HGD served as an observer on many of these flights and his personal notes form the basis of this manuscript. A note by HGD included in this file references the letter reports that he wrote to Dr. Arnstein during November 1935-May 1936 and found in file 18, box 6.

Box 7

FF 6

LZ-130 Test Flights Description- Contains a typed manuscript written by HGD documenting the test flights of the Graf Zeppelin II. This manuscript includes numerous diagrams, charts, and data tables.

Box 7

FF 7

Germany 1934-1938 and Miscellaneous- Contains a typescript entitled Section No. 5 which documents HGD's education and career, focusing on his experiences while stationed in Germany as a representative of the Goodyear-Zeppelin Corp. This manuscript also includes HGD's views on various topics including German society under the Nazis and the movie Hindenburg.

Box 7

FF 8

Miscellaneous and Duplicate Sheets- Contains photocopies of correspondence, diagrams, data tables, and narratives concerning German airship research and development. This information was used as research material for HGD's book The Golden Age of the Great Passenger Airships: Graf Zeppelin and Hindenburg.

Box 7

FF 9

Miscellaneous- Contains several narratives written by HGD concerning various topics including the airships Macon, Hindenburg, and airship commanders. Also included is a photocopy of the Crew Manual of the German Airship Operating Company for the Airship Crew in German text.

Box 7

FF 10

Typed Notes- Contains a collection of HGD's typed notes that he compiled while performing research for his book The Golden Age of the Great Passenger Airships: Graf Zeppelin and Hindenburg.

Box 7

FF 11

Ickes-Helium 1937-1938- Contains several photocopies of an extract from The Secret Diary of Harold L. Ickes, Vol II, The Inside Struggle 1936-1939. This extract focuses on the decision to deny the Germans the use of American helium, thereby indirectly contributing to the loss of the Hindenburg, a point alluded to by HGD in his presentations and writings.

Box 7

FF 12

Contains a collection of HGD's handwritten notes and manuscripts that he compiled while conducting research on his book The Golden Age of the Great Passenger Airships: Graf Zeppelin and Hindenburg.

Box 7

FF 13

Hindenburg: An American Story (1992)- A documentary film produced by Jim Meyers Film Enterprises concerning HGD's experiences as a Goodyear-Zeppelin Corp. representative in Germany. This tape documents his involvement in airship research and development, his flights to North and South America on the Graf Zeppelin and Hindenburg, and his experiences with the Nazis.

Box 7

FF 14

Video Tape Film Enterprises (1991-1993) Contains correspondence between HGD and Jim Meyers, the director of the film Hindenburg: An American Story, an airship documentary in which HGD was hired as a consultant, concerning the script and production issues. Also included is a contract and other legal correspondence.

Box 7

FF 15

Script Breakdown (1992)- Contains several copies of preliminary scripts and screenplays for the film Hindenburg: An American Story that were used for editing purposes. Also included are promotional flyers advertising the release of this video in the fall of 1992.

Box 7

FF 16

(1992)- Contains the second and final draft of the screenplay for the documentary film Hindenburg: An American Story, directed by Jim Meyers, produced by Forrest Chu, and with HGD as a historical consultant.

Series 5 – Lectures (1973-1994)

Box 8

FF 1

Contains index note cards for HGD's speeches about airships.

Box 8

FF 2

Contains HGD's handwritten speech and interview notes concerning his career, his talk "The Golden Age of the Great Rigid Airships," and the history of airships.

Box 8

FF 3

Information for Airship Talk- Contains lists of the organizations to whom HGD presented his talk "The Golden Age of the Great Rigid Airships" from 1973 through 1987 along with its location and attendance. Also included is a summary of this presentation and several short biographies of HGD; several original manuscript versions of this speech; a talk entitled "A Yankee's Five Years in Hitler's Pre-war Nazi Germany;" and an untitled speech concerning the various theories behind the Hindenburg disaster. An oral history interview dated April 8, 1991, by Kristin Knightley concerning HGD's career is also included.

Box 8

FF 4

Airship Talks (1973-1979)- Contains correspondence, flyers, brochures, and newspaper clippings concerning HGD's airship talks to various organizations around the country.

Box 8

FF 5

Airship Talks (1980-1992)- continued