The Curious Origin of Blimps: From Airships to a Satirical Cartoon

Introduction:

The term ldquo;blimprdquo; is often associated with non-rigid airships, but the origin of the word is quite intriguing and has a twist that connects it to a satirical cartoon character rather than an actual airship. This article explores the history of blimps and the origins of the term ldquo;Blimp.rdquo;

Origins of the Term Blimp

Historians believe that the term ldquo;blimprdquo; initially stemmed from the classification of airships in World War I. During this time, airships were categorized into A-class, B-class, and C-class types, based on their sizes. The B-class airships were particularly common, and they went by the nickname ldquo;limprdquo; airships. The name ldquo;limprdquo; was likely due to the fact that these airships did not have a rigid framework like the A-class airships, and thus they appeared more flexible or limp.

Etymology of Blimp

Traditionally, the term ldquo;blimprdquo; was thought to originate from the fact that these airships were ldquo;limprdquo; and had no rigid frame. However, the true etymology of ldquo;blimprdquo; is slightly different. The name actually derives from the airship type B-LIMP, which was widely used during the war. This term quickly evolved into ldquo;blimp.rdquo; Technically, only frameless airships are called blimps, but the term has become more generic over time.

The Satirical Cartoon Character, Colonel Blimp

Surprisingly, the term ldquo;blimprdquo; is not related to any British officer named Colonel Blimp. Instead, the character of Colonel Blimp is a satirical caricature created in the 1930s by the famous cartoonist David Low. Colonel Blimp was a rotund, retired colonel who appeared in the popular London newspaper, Evening Standard, between 1934 and 1943. This character was described as a xenophobic, pompous, jingoistic, and irascible old fool who was visually likened to the airships he inspected during the war.

The Cartoon Character vs. the Airship

Colonel Blimp was a satirical representation of a traditional military-minded individual who was incapable of adapting to the changing times. This character was obese, making him easily distinguishable. It was this resemblance to the overweight and somewhat cumbersome airships that led to the term ldquo;blimprdquo; being associated with the airships, not the other way around.

A Film Retrospective

In 1943, the character of Colonel Blimp was immortalized in a film called ldquo;The Life and Death of Colonel Blimp,rdquo; starring Roger Livesay. The film aimed to portray the shift in British military strategy from a traditional Blimp-like officer to a more modern approach. The filmmakers wanted to illustrate that the Blimp-type characters were no longer in control, and Britain was now winning the war on the terms of its enemies. However, Winston Churchill was staunchly against the film, believing that it would demoralize the troops by acknowledging the existence of Blimp-like characters in the armed forces.

Conclusion

The term ldquo;blimprdquo; for non-rigid airships originates from a complex historical and cultural background. From a satirical cartoon character to a general term for a specific type of airship, the journey of ldquo;blimprdquo; is a fascinating tale that reflects the evolution of military technology and satire in 20th-century Britain.