Dr. Jerome Hunsaker was asked to develop a theory of airship design , Lt. John H. Towers returned from Europe having inspected British designs , the Navy sought bids for 16 blimps from American manufacturers .
Dr. Jerome Hunsaker was asked to develop a theory of airship design . 
 This was followed by then - Lieutenant John H. Towers , USN , returning from Europe having inspected British designs , and the U.S. Navy subsequently sought bids for 16 blimps from American manufacturers .