Airship America, Spitzbergen, circa 1906 C017 / 7834
Wall Art and Photo Gifts from Science Photo Library
Airship America, Spitzbergen, circa 1906 C017 / 7834
Airship America, Spitzbergen, circa 1906. Commissioned by US journalist and explorer Walter Wellman (1858-1934), and built in France for his expedition to reach the North Pole, it was brought by ship to the Norwegian Arctic island of Spitsbergen in July 1906. Attempts to erect it failed. After being shipped back to France and modified, returns to Spitsbergen and brief flights followed in 1907 and 1909, by which time others claimed to have reached the North Pole. The America was lost the following year (1910) as its crew attempted the first trans-Atlantic crossing. This photograph is from the Bain News Service, one of the USAs earliest news picture libraries
Science Photo Library features Science and Medical images including photos and illustrations
Media ID 9208173
© LIBRARY OF CONGRESS/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY
1900s 1906 1907 Aeronautical Aeronautics Aircraft Airship America Arctic Aviation Aviator Aviators Bain News Service Balloon Building Coast Cold Constructing Crew Dirigible Engineer Engineering Engineers Explorer Explorers Flight Freezing French Ground Crew Hanger Inflatable Inflating Mechanic Mechanics North Pole Norway Norwegian Polar Exploration Rock Snow Spitsbergen Svalbard Transport Transportation Worker Workers Erecting
EDITORS COMMENTS
This print captures a significant moment in the history of aviation and exploration. The image showcases the Airship America, an impressive non-rigid airship commissioned by renowned American journalist and explorer Walter Wellman in 1906. Built in France for his ambitious expedition to reach the North Pole, this technological marvel was transported by ship to Spitsbergen, a Norwegian Arctic island. However, initial attempts to erect the airship on Spitsbergen proved unsuccessful. Undeterred, it was sent back to France for modifications before returning to its intended destination. In subsequent years, brief flights were achieved in 1907 and 1909 amidst claims from others who had already reached the North Pole. Tragically, fate took a cruel turn when the America was lost during an ill-fated trans-Atlantic crossing attempt in 1910. Nevertheless, this photograph serves as a testament to human ingenuity and determination during an era marked by groundbreaking advancements in aviation technology. The frozen landscape of Spitsbergen provides a dramatic backdrop as workers can be seen constructing and inflating the airship under harsh conditions. This image not only highlights their bravery but also pays homage to explorers like Wellman who pushed boundaries and expanded our understanding of polar exploration. Preserved by the Library of Congress' Bain News Service collection, this historical artifact offers us a glimpse into early 20th-century engineering feats that paved the way for modern aerial transportation.
MADE IN AUSTRALIA
Safe Shipping with 30 Day Money Back Guarantee
FREE PERSONALISATION*
We are proud to offer a range of customisation features including Personalised Captions, Color Filters and Picture Zoom Tools
FREE COLORIZATION SERVICE
You can choose advanced AI Colorization for this picture at no extra charge!
SECURE PAYMENTS
We happily accept a wide range of payment options so you can pay for the things you need in the way that is most convenient for you
* Options may vary by product and licensing agreement. Zoomed Pictures can be adjusted in the Cart.