Complex sentence: The World War I defeat of Germany in 1918 temporarily halted the airship business but, under the guidance of Hugo Eckener, the deceased Count's successor, civilian Zeppelins became popular again.
Split into simpler sentences: The World War I defeat of Germany in 1918 temporarily halted the airship business. But under the guidance of Hugo Eckener, the deceased Count's successor, civilian Zeppelins became popular again.