Stanley Switlik

Stanley Switlik
Born December 4, 1890(1890-12-04)
Galicia
Died March 4, 1981(1981-03-04) (aged 90)
Marathon, Florida, U.S.
Occupation Parachute pioneer

Stanley Switlik was a parachute pioneer. Born in 1890 in Galicia, now part of Poland, he immigrated to the United States at 17 years of age.[1] Originally, his company made heavy sewn items such as golf bags and mailbags.

Contents

Parachute tower

With his partner George P. Putnam, he built the first parachute training tower in the United States. The first jump from this tower was on June 2, 1935 by Amelia Earhart, who described the experience as "Loads of fun!".[2][3]

He died of a heart attack in Marathon, Florida on March 4, 1981.[4]

Legacy

The Stanley Switlik Elementary school in Marathon, Florida is named for him,[5] as is the Switlik Elementary School[6] in Jackson, New Jersey.

References

  1. ^ http://www.capitalcentury.com/1925.html
  2. ^ Bellis, Mary. "First Parachute Training Tower". History of the Parachute. About.com. http://inventors.about.com/od/pstartinventions/ss/Parachute_6.htm. Retrieved 16 January 2010. 
  3. ^ "AMELIA EARHART USES HER FIRST PARACHUTE; Flier Makes Her Initial Jump, With a New Device From a 115-Foot Tower". The New York Times. 3 June 1935. http://select.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=F70914F93C5B177A93C1A9178DD85F418385F9&scp=6&sq=Stanley%20Switlik&st=cse. Retrieved 17 January 2010. 
  4. ^ "Stanley Switlik, 90; Parachute Expert". New York Times. 7 March 1981. http://www.nytimes.com/1981/03/07/obituaries/stanley-switlik-90-parachute-expert.html?scp=1&sq=Switlik&st=nyt. Retrieved 16 January 2010. 
  5. ^ Stanley Switlik Elementary School website
  6. ^ Switlik Elementary School

External links