Zeppelin. The zeppelin was a rigid airship designed by the German builder Ferdinand, Graf von Zeppelin. It was a cigar-shaped, trussed, and covered frame supported by internal gas cells, below which hung two external cars with an engine geared to two propellers. In 1928 the Graf Zeppelin inaugurated transatlantic flight service; it had completed 590 flights by 1937. In May, 1937, the Hindenberg, the largest zeppelin ever constructed, burst into flames as it was landing in Lakehurst, New Jersey destroying the airship and killing 36 of the 97 persons aboard ending the zeppelin era. 5" x 3" card signed by August Deutschle one of the Hindenburg's engine mechanics who also was a crew member aboard the Graf Zeppelin. A second 5" x 3" card signed by six crew members, Albert Stöffler, one of the Hindenburg's cooks, Eugen Bentele was one of 20 engine mechanics onboard the Hindenburg for its final flight, Fred Grozinger mechanical officer aboard both ships and Gaf Zeppelin electrical officers Josef Sonntag and Norbert Heiss and Gaf Zeppelin pilot Ernst Fischbach.