90th Anniversary of “Sky High” Irvin’s Historic Parachute Jump

On April 19, 1919, Leslie Irvin of the US made the first premeditated free-fall parachute jump. From the article:

"90th [100th] Anniversary of “Sky High” Irvin’s Historic Parachute Jump
Airborne Systems
Almost every country on earth that has a military presence has some form of parachute capability. Much of the credit for creating the parachute industry that provides these life preservers of the air is owed to a true industry pioneer, Leslie Leroy Irvin; and April 19, 2009 marks the 90th anniversary of his historic free fall parachute jump.

Born near Los Angeles, Irvin started a ballooning and parachuting career in 1911 while in his early teens. In 1915, Irvin joined the Universal Film Company as a stunt man for the fledging Californian film industry where he performed acrobatics on trapezes from balloons and made descents using parachutes. His experience as a stunt man contributed to his later belief that a jumper in a free fall descent would not lose consciousness.

First Free Fall Parachute using a Rip Cord
Lesie Leroy Irvin
On April 19, 1919, Leslie Irvin, made the world’s first free fall parachute descent using a rip cord, rather than using a canister or tether line attached to the aircraft to pull open the parachute. Irvin believed that a free fall jump would be safer because an aircraft spinning out of control could interfere with the deployment of the earlier chutes.

Working with the US Army’s Air Service parachute research team, Irvin made the historic jump from a plane over McCook field near Dayton, Ohio. During the jump, Irvin broke his ankle but was inspired to start his own parachute business.

Later that year, he opened the Irvin Air Chute Company in Buffalo, NY. What became known as the Irvin parachute gained rapid acceptance, and by the early 1930's was in service with some 40 air forces around the world. With the start of World War II, Irvin became a major manufacturer of parachutes. During the war, Irvin parachutes saved over 10,000 lives. The Irvin name had become the world standard for innovation, reliability, and quality.

Irvin Flying Jacket
Leslie Irvin’s design innovations weren’t limited to parachutes. With aircraft flying at increasing altitudes, pilots were subjected to lowering temperatures. To address this requirement, Irvin designed and manufactured the classic leather and sheepskin flying jacket which became recognized during the Second World War.

In later years, Irvin’s company also made car seat belts, slings for cargo handling and even canning machinery. The company later changed its name to Irvin Aerospace to reflect the change to the newer markets it served. Today, Irvin Aerospace is a brand of Airborne Systems, a leading designer and one of the world’s largest manufacturers of parachutes and related equipment.

As a humanitarian, Irvin was obsessed with saving lives with his equipment. In 1922, he founded the Caterpillar Club to recognize individuals that had their lives saved by a parachute. Today, the Caterpillar Club is one of the most famous flying clubs in the world and has awarded thousands of airmen, and a few airwomen with a gold caterpillar pin, symbolizing the silk from which early parachutes were made. Some of its famous members included names like Charles Lindberg, General James Doolittle and former U.S. astronaut John Glenn. Up to the time of his death on October 9, 1966, Leslie Irvin was Honorary Secretary of the Caterpillar Club ever since its inception, but despite the fact that he made more than 300 parachutes jumps he did not become eligible for membership - he never had to jump to save his life.

On this 90th anniversary, Leslie Irvin should not only be remembered for his leadership in spawning an entire industry dedicated to safety, but also as a true American Hero. After all, how many people can say they made something that saved tens of thousands of lives?"