Goodyear started flying its first airships in 1911. Over the years, Goodyear has dominated the American blimp business. In preparation for World War II, Goodyear built more than 300 anti-submarine blimps of various sizes. Those airships operated from more than 50 bases, flew 55,900 missions and never lost one of the 89,000 merchant and troop ships they escorted. Today, Goodyear operates blimps throughout the entire United States, but since 1917, it is Akron, Ohio that remains GoodyearÌ´Ì¥s true home base. GoodyearÌ´Ì¥s 200 foot blimps are generally thought of as one of the worldÌ´Ì¥s greatest advertising specimens. Goodyear and Ì´ÌÓwinged footÌ´Ì¥ are registered trademarks of The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company, Akron, Ohio used under license by Model Power, Farmingdale, New York.