But Hitler’s Germany did make progress towards building an aircraft carrier. This was the Graf Zeppelin—named for Count Ferdinand von Zeppelin, best known for developing the eponymous airship.

The U.S. Navy once dreamed of airships serving as flying aircraft carriers, with the USS Akron and Macon leading the way. But after a series of deadly disasters, the vision collapsed.

Where do you park a zeppelin (here, the Navy airship Los Angeles ... to enhance the Navy’s supreme icon of warfare: the aircraft carrier. Career Navy men went to Annapolis, made the choice ...