Goodyear's Spirit of Iovation blimp celebrates 10th birthday in Carson

The 10th birthday of Goodyear Tire and Rubber Co.’s last GZ-20 model blimp, Spirit of Iovation, was celebrated at its Carson base Tuesday with tours of the facility and science project exhibits from local schools.

The company’s last balloon-like blimp will be replaced next year with a Zeppelin NT semi-rigid dirigible that is bigger, faster, and more dexterous and mode.

• VIDEO: Pilot Matthew St. John talks about the blimp

Students from St. Marks Elementary in Downey and Meadows Elementary in Manhattan Beach joined members of Gardena-based nonprofit Trash for Teaching displaying their projects about blimp-related science.

The Spirit of Iovation operated at Goodyear’s Florida base until moving to Carson last year to replace the 13-year-old retiring Spirit of America.

• PHOTOS: A closer look at the blimp on display

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