Lou Henry Hoover's role in launching Akron is taken as a sign of the importance the Navy attached to the programme. Securing the First Lady's participation required political interest and the willingness to support an experimental airship. A later flight carried 207 passengers to demonstrate the possibility of emergency troop airlift to outlying possessions. Such flights also let officials and potential supporters experience the airship's capabilities before decisions about continued funding.
Notable Point · 58:47-1:02:54
Flight demonstrations built political support
The First Lady's participation in Akron's launch and a 207-passenger flight linked demonstrations of capability with efforts to sustain support for the airship programme.