Herbert Morrison, American journalist and producer (b. 1905)

Herbert Oglevee Morrison, born on May 14, 1905, and passing away on January 10, 1989, was an American radio journalist whose legacy is almost singularly defined by his raw, emotional, and iconic on-site report of the catastrophic Hindenburg disaster. This tragic event, which saw the spectacular destruction of the German zeppelin LZ 129 Hindenburg on May 6, 1937, at Lakehurst Naval Air Station in New Jersey, claimed the lives of 36 people and effectively halted the era of large-scale commercial airship travel.

While Morrison's electrifying broadcast solidified his place in journalistic history, surprisingly little is widely known about his early life, his career preceding this pivotal report, or his professional trajectory following the devastating tragedy.

Herbert Morrison: The Voice of a Disaster

Herbert Morrison, reporting for Chicago radio station WLS, was present at the Lakehurst Naval Air Station in Manchester Township, New Jersey, on May 6, 1937, to provide a routine description of the Hindenburg's arrival. What unfolded before him, however, was far from routine. As the massive hydrogen-filled airship attempted to dock, it suddenly burst into flames, rapidly consuming the entire structure in a fiery inferno. Morrison's report, recorded by engineer Charles Nehlsen, captured the terrifying immediacy of the catastrophe with an unprecedented level of human emotion.

His voice, cracking with shock and disbelief, famously articulated phrases like "It's burst into flames!" and the immortal, anguished cry of "Oh, the humanity!" This visceral reaction, delivered in real-time as the disaster unfolded before his eyes, transcended mere factual reporting. It became a powerful testament to the impact of live (or near-live, as it was recorded and broadcast later) journalism, bringing the horror of the event directly into millions of homes. The recording of his report was later played over newsreels in movie theaters, further amplifying its reach and cementing its status as one of the most significant and emotionally charged broadcasts in radio history.

The Hindenburg Disaster: A Fiery End to an Era

The LZ 129 Hindenburg was the flagship of the German airship fleet and a marvel of engineering in its time, designed to provide luxurious transatlantic passenger service. It was a symbol of technological advancement and a preferred mode of travel for the elite, offering opulent accommodations across the Atlantic. On its final, ill-fated voyage, the Hindenburg carried 36 passengers and 61 crew members. The rapid conflagration, believed to have been caused by the ignition of leaking hydrogen gas, tragically resulted in 36 fatalities: 13 passengers, 22 crew members, and one ground crewman.

The Hindenburg's dramatic destruction had profound consequences, immediately instigating widespread public fear regarding the safety of hydrogen-filled airships. This single event effectively ended the commercial airship industry's aspirations for long-distance passenger travel, shifting public and industry focus towards fixed-wing aircraft.

Beyond the Broadcast: Morrison's Life and Legacy

While the Hindenburg broadcast remains the cornerstone of his fame, Herbert Morrison's career extended beyond that fateful day. Despite the relative scarcity of detailed public information about his personal life or the full breadth of his professional endeavors, it is known that he continued his career in radio. Following his impactful tenure at WLS, Morrison moved into public relations and later embarked on a career in public service. He held various governmental positions in his home state of West Virginia, including serving as State Auditor and as a State Senator, demonstrating a commitment to civic engagement that spanned decades.

Morrison's report stands as a pioneering example of immediate, emotionally charged disaster reporting, setting a precedent for how such events would be covered by broadcast media for decades to come. His ability to convey the raw terror and tragedy of the moment, even without the benefit of accompanying visuals for his radio audience, underscored the unique power of audio journalism.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Who was Herbert Oglevee Morrison?

Herbert Oglevee Morrison was an American radio journalist best known for his highly dramatic and emotional on-site report of the Hindenburg disaster in 1937, which captured the immediate horror of the zeppelin's fiery destruction.

What made Herbert Morrison's Hindenburg report so famous?

Morrison's report gained widespread fame due to his raw, unfiltered emotional reaction as he witnessed the Hindenburg burst into flames. His anguished cries, most notably "Oh, the humanity!", conveyed the overwhelming terror and shock of the event, providing an unprecedented level of immediacy and emotional depth to disaster reporting.

Was Herbert Morrison's Hindenburg report broadcast live?

While it captured the immediacy of the moment, Herbert Morrison's report of the Hindenburg disaster was not broadcast live. It was recorded on an acetate disc by his engineer, Charles Nehlsen, and then flown to Chicago for broadcast later that day and subsequently played over newsreels in cinemas, reaching a vast audience.

What was the Hindenburg and why was its destruction significant?

The Hindenburg (LZ 129) was a German rigid airship, a luxury passenger zeppelin and a symbol of advanced aviation technology in the 1930s. Its catastrophic destruction by fire on May 6, 1937, which killed 36 people, led to widespread public fear about hydrogen-filled airships and effectively brought an end to the commercial airship era, shifting focus towards airplanes for long-distance travel.