of outside sources. The various organizations
have been added to and developed at intervals since the Zeppelin
Endowment was created in 1908. They are not only concerned with
producing airships and all their parts but with developing airplanes,
seaplanes and power plants, with the special machinery so important to
the success of the new aircraft which Zeppelin continuously produced and
which proved superior to other products, due in no small part to the
splendid organization developed by means of the popular fund, the
profits from which under the terms by which Count Zeppelin accepted it,
must continuously be thrown back into the treasury "to be used
exclusively for the propagation and development of air navigation."

[PLATE 11: Zeppelin "L-59" Naval Airship.

Which made the still unbroken World's Record Non-Stop Flight of
4225 miles from Jambol in Bulgaria to just west of Khartum in
Africa and back to Jambol, carrying 14 tons of freight in 95
hours, November, 1917.

Zeppelin "L-59" Engine. Telegraphs and Navigators Desk.

Zeppelin "L-59" Elevator Rudders Control Stand and Altitude
Navigation Instruments.]

When Count Zeppelin died in 1917 his assistants were placed under
obligations to carry on the work and administer the Zeppelin Endowment
according to the original terms which do not limit its activities to
national boundaries, but encourage the development of aerial navigation
throughout the world.

Early Development and Flights

Commencing in 1908 Zeppelin devoted his energies to perfecting aircraft.
There were many epoch making achievements, not only the record flights
and increasing efficiency and performance tests but continuous
discoveries and inventions no less important and significant because
they were for the time being accomplished within the walls of laboratory
and factory. They constitute one of the most remarkable chapters in this
age of mechanics and engineering, and are worthy of further explanation
later on.

[PLATE 12: Route of the Zeppelin L-59]

One of the first flights, under the new organization, was that of the
new Zeppelin Z-1, April 1st, 1909, from Lake Constance to Munich. Before
it could land at Munich a heavy southwest wind pushed it back from the
field over which it hovered. The Commander decided to "weather the
storm" in the air; and for the first time in the history of aerial
navigation the airship remained aloft, her nose against the wind