Fonds DE-LZA - Archives of Luftschiffbau Zeppelin GmbH

After having studied the production of large aircrafts since the 1880's and having manufactured some prototypes, Count Ferdinand von Zeppelin created Luftschiffbau Zeppelin GmbH on September 8th, 1908, thanks to capital provided by people who were passionate about his research. The aircrafts made by the firm could be for military or civilian use.

From the end of World War I to 1926, the production of military and large airwrafts was prohibited in Germany. This situation led the firm to a first diversification of its activity. It resumed its original productions in the late 1920's. In the 1930's, its aircrafts travelled to different and distant countries.

At the end of World War II, the firm ceased to exist, replaced the creation of Metallwerk Friedrichshafen GmbH in 1950 with widely diversified activities. Between 1993 and 1994, the original Zeppelin company was reinstated.