Here’s a fun fact for you, Goodyear has not had a blimp in its fleet of airships since the Spirit of Innovation retired in 2017. A blimp is a non-rigid dirigible, while Goodyear’s current fleet is made up of three semi-rigid airships inflated by low-pressure helium. These big bags of air are maybe the coolest way to get from one place to another, and everyone should travel by semi-rigid airship more often. Even if you don’t own your own blimp, and Goodyear won’t let the public ride in the blimp, you and I can wear our blimp passions on our sleeves with a slew of new blimp-themed merch.
I live in Cleveland, Ohio, so I get to see a Wingfoot every now and again. Sometimes I’ll be out driving and these whale-shaped flying tire ads will float by. It never fails to make me excited to see them. The main Goodyear airdock is in Akron, Ohio, just 44 miles away, so we’re practically neighbors. The rubber business built this part of the country, and we like to celebrate our black-and-rounds, and the airships that have nothing to do with them.
The Goodyear Blimp crew recently launched a new line of merchandise, and it all kicks so much ass. They’ve got the typical beach towels and coffee mugs that you would think of when you picture corporate merch, but some of the more unique items are where my passions lie. Would you like a Goodyear Blimp pickleball paddle? How about a neon blimp sign? They’ve also got retro-cool t-shirts, a historical blimp magnet set, a blimp-shaped stress ball, and my personal favorite, a tongue-in-cheek “Blimps Are Cool. Buy Tires.” tee.
I’ve heard that Goodyear will occasionally let members of the press ride in the blimps, so Goodyear, if you’re reading this, I want to ride in the blimp, preferably above the 2025 Indianapolis 500, please and thank you. I will even wear my new blimp merch the whole time.
