GOODYEAR Donates Historic Blimp Gondola to EAA Museum for Children’s Exhibit

Goodyear (GT) is giving fans a unique opportunity to own a piece of aviation history alongside a major donation aimed at inspiring future generations.

AKRON, Ohio – July 21, 2025 – Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company (NASDAQ: GT) kicked off the 2025 Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA) AirVenture Oshkosh with a significant announcement: the donation of its last-remaining blimp gondola frame to the EAA Museum. The gondola will be a central feature of a new exhibit designed specifically for children.

The donated gondola frame hails from Goodyear’s iconic GZ20 series of blimps, a lineage that spanned nearly four decades. Known for their robust construction, these gondolas were often refurbished and repurposed for successive blimps as older models were retired. Specifically, the frame heading to the EAA Museum saw service on the Europa, which soared across European skies in the 1980s, and later on the Stars and Stripes, based in Florida, during the early 2000s. This practice of gondola reuse came to an end in 2011 as Goodyear transitioned to the more modern New Technology (NT) semi-rigid airship platform, a design still in use today.

This donation is part of Goodyear’s year-long centennial celebration of its blimp program. The initiative highlights Goodyear’s commitment to preserving its rich aviation history and ensuring the Goodyear Blimp’s legacy endures for generations to come.

“As we mark the 100th anniversary of our blimp program, we believe there is no better way to honor its legacy than by inspiring the next generation of aviation enthusiasts,” stated Michael Dougherty, Goodyear’s Chief Pilot. “We hope this exhibit ignites curiosity and fosters a lifelong passion for flight in children of all ages.”

Chris Henry, EAA Aviation Museum Manager, echoed Dougherty’s sentiment, stating, “Goodyear’s Blimp has become an iconic symbol of aviation over the past century. This donation aligns perfectly with our museum’s mission to showcase the history of flight. Just as Goodyear Blimps have captivated audiences with the magic of flight, this gondola will be core to a future exhibit that inspires aviation dreams.”

Own a Piece of History: Limited-Edition Goodyear Blimp Keepsake

In addition to the gondola donation, Goodyear is offering fans a truly unique collectible: a piece of the Goodyear Blimp. The Spirit of Goodyear keepsake includes a fragment of the original envelope from the namesake blimp, which flew across North America from 2000 to 2014. Each piece is carefully packaged in a special 100th-anniversary commemorative box. Christened by NASA Astronaut Sally Ride in March 2000, the Spirit of Goodyear went on to become one of the most decorated airships in the Goodyear fleet. The blimp holds the Guinness World Record for the longest continuously operated airship and was the first to provide aerial TV coverage of sporting events in high definition.

Following the Spirit of Goodyear’s retirement in 2014, the gondola was donated to the Crawford Aviation Museum in Cleveland. However, Goodyear retained a portion of the envelope, which is now featured in this limited-edition collectible.

The Spirit of Goodyear keepsake is available for purchase while supplies last at the Goodyear Fan Store: Goodyear | Blimp Keepsake Box. A portion of the proceeds from the sale of each keepsake will be donated to the EAA Museum to support the construction of the new children’s exhibit.

Goodyear’s Presence at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2025

Goodyear Aviation is showcasing its latest aviation tires and technologies at booth #489. Adding to the excitement as part of the Goodyear Blimp centennial celebrations, two blimps are making the trip to Oshkosh for the first time. Wingfoot One, adorned with a vintage wrap inspired by the original Goodyear Blimp Pilgrim, will participate in daytime airshows, while Wingfoot Two, equipped with its signature LED sign, will light up the night sky with its presence in the nighttime airshows. Aviation enthusiasts can follow @Goodyear and @GoodyearBlimp on social media for live updates throughout the week.

About The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company

Goodyear is one of the world’s largest tire companies. It employs about 68,000 people and manufactures its products in 53 facilities in 20 countries around the world. Its two Innovation Centers in Akron, Ohio, and Colmar-Berg, Luxembourg, strive to develop state-of-the-art products and services that set the technology and performance standard for the industry. For more information about Goodyear and its products, go to www.goodyear.com/corporate.

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