The Archival Services of the University of Akron have digitized four nitrate films that form part of the Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. records stored at the university.
The videos were first transferred from highly combustible nitrate to safety film and then digitized. They are now available for public viewing.
The films include “The USS Akron Part 1”. Silent film showing the construction of the U.S.S. Akron (ZRS-4), a helium-filled U.S. Navy rigid airship that operated between September 1931 and April 1933. This film was reformatted and digitized from the original 35mm nitrate film thanks to a grant from the National Film Preservation Foundation.
“The USS Akron Part 2”. Silent film showing the construction, christening, maiden flight, and operation of the U.S.S. Akron (ZRS-4), a helium-filled U.S. Navy rigid airship that operated between September 1931 and April 1933. This film was reformatted and digitized from the original 35mm nitrate film thanks to a grant from the National Film Preservation Foundation.
“Scenes of the Construction of the Goodyear Air Dock And an Airship Frame, 1929-1930”. Silent film showing the construction of the Goodyear Airdock, an airship hanger in Akron, Ohio, and the U.S.S. Akron (ZRS-4), a helium-filled U.S. Navy rigid airship that operated between September 1931 and April 1933. This film was reformatted and digitized from the original 35mm nitrate film thanks to a grant from the National Film Preservation Foundation.
“Navy Day in Akron”. This is a copy of a 35mm nitrate film reformatted to safety film and digitized, thanks to a grant from the National Film Preservation Foundation. It documents the donation of an ensign for the U.S.S. Akron with money raised by the school children of Akron and the accompanying celebration.