Living History: Part III in a Series...

Zeppelin Memorials in Freidrichshafen

The ancient town of Freidrichshafen, on the shores of Lake Constance, is the birthplace of the Zeppelin airship. It was here, in 1900, that Count Fredinand von Zeppelin made his first historic flights. And it was here, more than three years before the Wright Brothers, that powered flight could truly be said to have begun. As you might expect, the town has many memorials to their beloved Count and his remarkable invention. Some of these are fairly ordinary. Others, as you will see below, are not...

A Zepplgym?

This is... I'm not sure what you'd call it. A Zeppelin Jungle Gym? A 'Zeppligym'? Whatever it's name, it's right near the harbor, and has a certain steampunk quality about it (German: dampfpunk) that one just has to admire. Though that steel duck below it (what playground could possibly be complete without a steel duck?) does seem rather Bauhaus. I particularly like the Jules-Verne-ish contraption on top. I assume it's supposed to be a telescope, but I'm sure that generations of children have used it as a raygun.

But the real prize is this one...

Childe Humanity Holding The New Invention...

...With Which He Will Unify The Globe?

I imagine it's supposed to symbolize something. Though it could also just be a kid holding an airship. It's a nice work of art. The ship is portrayed in sufficient detail that it can be identified as one of the pre-WWI commercial vessels -- perhaps the LZ-6. I want one for my back yard! It could go right next to that statue of sultry island maidens...