Frank Cotton

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Frank Stanley Cotton (1890 - 1955) was an Australian lecturer in physiology specialising in the study of the effects of physical strain on the human body.

[edit] Inventions

• Anti-Gravity Suit

In 1940, whilst at University of Sydney, Professor Cotton invented the aerodynamic anti-gravity suit which prevented pilots from blacking out when making high speed turns or pulling out of a dive. This was used extensively by pilots in the Allied air forces during World War II.

• Ergometer

Cotton was also responsible for the ergometer, a machine to test the athletic potential of sportsmen and women. Cotton claimed through this machine to have discovered the swimmers Jon Henricks and Judy-Joy Davies. The Australian swimming coach, Forbes Carlile, began his career as an assistant to Cotton.