Ludwig Dürr
Encyclopedia
Ludwig Dürr was an airship
designer.
Beginning in 1899, Dürr worked for Ferdinand von Zeppelin
. After assisting in the construction of the first zeppelin
airship, the LZ 1, he himself began to construct airships and lightweight construction parts. All of the following zeppelin designs were Dürr's. He was employed by the Zeppelin company
until its dissolution in 1945, from 1915 on as technical director.
On 19 July 1923 he married Lydia Beck; they had two daughters and two sons.
Airship
An airship or dirigible is a type of aerostat or "lighter-than-air aircraft" that can be steered and propelled through the air using rudders and propellers or other thrust mechanisms...
designer.
Life and career
After completing training as a mechanic, Dürr continued his training at the Höhere Maschinenbauschule in Stuttgart, an affiliate of the Königliche Baugewerkschule (Royal School of Engineering). In 1898 he entered the German Navy, but was discharged at the end of the year.Beginning in 1899, Dürr worked for Ferdinand von Zeppelin
Ferdinand von Zeppelin
Ferdinand Adolf Heinrich August Graf von Zeppelin was a German general and later aircraft manufacturer. He founded the Zeppelin Airship company...
. After assisting in the construction of the first zeppelin
Zeppelin
A Zeppelin is a type of rigid airship pioneered by the German Count Ferdinand von Zeppelin in the early 20th century. It was based on designs he had outlined in 1874 and detailed in 1893. His plans were reviewed by committee in 1894 and patented in the United States on 14 March 1899...
airship, the LZ 1, he himself began to construct airships and lightweight construction parts. All of the following zeppelin designs were Dürr's. He was employed by the Zeppelin company
Luftschiffbau Zeppelin
Luftschiffbau Zeppelin GmbH is a German company which, during the early 20th century, was a leader in the design and manufacture of rigid airships, specifically of the Zeppelin type. The company was founded by Count Ferdinand von Zeppelin...
until its dissolution in 1945, from 1915 on as technical director.
On 19 July 1923 he married Lydia Beck; they had two daughters and two sons.
Honours
- Great Cross of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany (1953)
- Honorary doctorates from Technical Universities and Universities of Freiburg, Heidelberg, Karlsruhe, Stuttgart, Tübingen and Graz
- Honorary citizen of Friedrichshafen and Stuttgart-Echterdingen (now part of Leinfelden-EchterdingenLeinfelden-EchterdingenLeinfelden-Echterdingen is a town in the district of Esslingen, in Baden-Württemberg, Germany. It is located approx. 10 km south of Stuttgart, near the Stuttgart Airport...
) - Ludwig-Dürr-Straße in GöppingenGöppingenGöppingen is a town in southern Germany, part of the Stuttgart Region of Baden-Württemberg. It is the capital of the district Göppingen. It is situated at the bottom of the Hohenstaufen mountain, in the valley of the river Fils....
is named after him. - The Ludwig Dürr School in Friedrichshafen, a primary and secondary school with WerkrealschuleWerkrealschuleWerkrealschule is a relatively young branch of German secondary education , which offers pupils additional lessons in grades 8 and 9 and allows them to qualify after ten years with a final exam which is equal to graduation from Realschule....
year, is named after him. - The high Alpine trail between the Friedrichshafen and Darmstadt huts in the Verwall AlpsVerwall AlpsThe Verwall Alps or Verwall Group are a mountain range of the Central Eastern Alps at the border of the Austrian states of Tyrol and Vorarlberg.It includes the following peaks:*Patteriol 3,059 metres...
is named the Ludwig-Dürr-Weg after him.
Sources
- Schmitt, G. and Schwipps, W. -Pioniere der frühen Luftfahrt, Blindlach: Gondrom Verlag, 1995, ISBN 3-8112-1189-7