“Speed Limits” and “Blimps,” This Day in History – Jan 2nd

Nixon approves the Emergency Highway Energy Conservation Act

Back in 1974, President Richard M. Nixon, took action to set speed limits within the boundaries of the America highways.  With the signing of the “Emergency Highway Energy Conservation Act,” the previous speed limits of 40 mph to 80 mph will now be set at a standard of 55 mph.

According to history.com, “today speed limits across the country vary between 35 and 40 mph in congested urban areas and 75 mph on long stretches of rural highway. U.S. drivers now drive almost as fast as their European counterparts, who average between 75 and 80 mph on the highway. On some roads in Italy, it is legal to drive as fast as 95 mph.”

Links to this article: 

http://youtu.be/sgcdp1UZorU

Lakehurst, NJ opens Naval “Blimp” base

Back in 1942, Lakehurst, NJ Naval Airship Patrol Group 1 and Air Ship Squadron 12 became the only military organization in the world to use specialized airships known as, “Blimps,” during the close of WWI and the start of WWII. 

The Army was the first military unit that dealt with blimps but this entity was passed onto the Navy after the usage of these vessels was needed for the surveillance of enemy submarines off patrolling coastlines.  For instance, the convoy of the blimp’s surveillance never lost a ship during its patrol over the waters. 

According to history.com, blimps were being used outside the military, “meanwhile, in the civilian world, the Hindenburg, a commercial dirigible, burst into flames over Lakehurst on May 6, 1937. Thirty-six of the 97 passengers aboard were killed. The explosion was caused by an electric discharge that ignited a hydrogen gas leak; the tragedy effectively ended the use of airships for commercial travel, but they were still used to great advantage in the U.S. military.”

During WWII, the Navy used 10 blimps in their fleet and increased their amount to a total of 167 within the end of the War.  Only one blimp was lost in service, the K-74, which stated by history.com, “on July 18, 1943, spotted a German U-boat. The blimp opened fire on the submarine and damaged it, but only one of its two depth charges released. The submarine fired back and sent the blimp into the sea, but the crew was rescued. The only German blimp involved in the war was a passenger craft, Graf Zeppelin, which was used for electronic surveillance just before the outbreak of the war.”

Links to this article:

http://youtu.be/kg4V-12IDXs

http://youtu.be/j300JGd2_wc

http://youtu.be/-vgkvUxxZFg

All History facts provided from the link below:

http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/secretary-fall-resigns-in-teapot-dome-scandal?catId=11