Giant Zeppelin Balloons, Straight Outta Big D
by Paula Bosse
by Paula Bosse
Bet you didn’t know that giant Zeppelin balloons were made in Dallas (or maybe Forney…). They were. The Ryan Rubber Company’s balloon factory opened in Forney in 1946, managed by Lester G. Norris with the help of his wife, Gladys.
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Source of Zeppelin ad unknown.
See a photo of the Norrises at work and read the accompanying article “Picture Blocks and Balloons Big Business For These Men” (Dallas Morning News, Nov. 28, 1949).
Click pictures for larger images.
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Copyright © 2014 Paula Bosse. All Rights Reserved.
I’m a balloon historian in Texas and I’d like to find out more information about the Ryan Balloon Company.
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Hi, Mr. Dewey — check your email.
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