The original three teams expanded as Cal added a group to design the gondola, another to work on steering and stabilizing mechanisms.

Models of airships crashed in an amazing variety of ways in the Shed. Some lost pressure suddenly, while others hit the ceiling or walls and ruptured the envelope. One got too near a lamp and burst into flame. The envelope and steering teams argued through the days about how to make the craft safer.

Amidst all of this, Patrick called Cal to watch ...