What were "America", "Columbia", "Enterprise", "Ranger" and "Resolute"?

These were all airships in the Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company fleet of blimps.

Goodyear started this use of blimps as a global public relations program in 1925 with the launch of its first blimp "Pilgrim". Over the years, these blimps have gained notoriety by flying above the stadiums during major American sporting events such as the Indianapolis 500, the Super Bowl and college football games.

In 2014, however, Goodyear began a process of replacing its three U.S. non-rigid airships (blimps) with three new semi-rigid airships (dirigibles). Although technically incorrect, Goodyear continues to use the word "blimp" in reference to these new semi-rigid "dirigibles" models. Wingfoot One, the first such model in Goodyear's U.S. fleet, was christened on August 23, 2014, near the company's world headquarters in Akron, Ohio. Currently, Wingfoot One and Wingfoot Two are the only ships in the Goodyear's U.S. fleet.

Since 1928, Goodyear named its blimps after the U.S. winners of the America's Cup yacht race. This method came about when CEO Paul Litchfield said the blimps were like yachts in the sky. "America", "Columbia", "Enterprise", "Ranger" and "Resolute" were all winning yachts. The only time the practice deviated was in 1987 with the christening of the ship "The Spirit of Akron." This practice ended in 2005 with the naming of "Stars and Stripes".

Goodyear's foreign-based fleet includes the "Spirit of Europe".

More Info: en.wikipedia.org

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46 Comments

greengalx

I was in the Navy, these are all US Navy ships. Everyone who answered Navy ships should get the points!

Kenneth Jacobs

For the record the U.S. Navy has used each of these names for ships, viz.: USS America CV-66, USS Enterprise CV-65, USS Ranger CV-4, USS Columbia SSN-771, USS Resolute SP-3218. Some of these were used as names for Naval vessels on several occasions.

Stephanie Fox

I grew up near the Goodyear blimp base in Houston, Texas. I had forgotten all about until now. Thank you so much for the wonderful memories.

Darlene White

Well, damn, thought they were shuttles. Now. Know!!,

Carol Focht Cheney

How did this get past review? Navy ships is also correct.

Suraya Choudhury

I put U. S. Space Shuttles !

Gold Toy Box

Here we go again? Good question with very poor or incorrect answer!

William Farrell

Hey these are all navy ships

Mark Kirby

Absolutely greenglax/Gabriel. All USN ships.

Andrew Allan

Ronnie, she’s a Los Angeles class nuclear submarine

Andrew Allan

ALL of these are or were ships of the US Navy

Kent Snyder

Obviously the person who created this question didn't do any research, these were the names of US Naval ships.

Sandra Caulfield

I once was honored to eat Sunday dinner in the officer's dining area on the U.S.S. Enterprise. Very impressed with the aircraft carrier, not so much my date.