Zeppelin NT aerodynamic modelling. Pressure exerted on an airship's structure by air flowing over its hull is represented using colours on this computer model. Blue indicates high pressure, whilst red indicates low pressure. Built by Zeppelin Luftschifftechnik GmbH, a company which claims lineage from those founded by Frederick von Zeppelin in the early 20th century, this modern airship is, at 75 metres in length, smaller than the original Zeppelins. The first prototype airship was launched in 1997 and since 2001 they have been used to give flights for tourists and as observation platforms for television crews at major events.