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Leslie L. Irvin, developer of the innovative Irvin Air Chute, was the first aviator to make a parachute descent with a free type, manually operated parachute. This type of parachute is complete in one unit and attached to the body of the wearer. Mr. Irvin was to become the President and Chief Engineer of the Irving Air Chute Company, manufacturers of "The Lifesaver of the Air."

 Identifier

NASM.2000.0044

Creator

Gafford, George L.

Date

1944-1950

Provenance

George L. Gafford, gift, 2000, 2000-0044, pending

Extent

0.45 Cubic feet ((1 legal document box))

Archival Repository

National Air and Space Museum Archives

Scope and Contents

This collection concerns the Irving Air Chute Company and its products. Included are a Technical Report on the Design Features of the Irvin Automatic Opener, a Consulting Engineer's Comments on the Irvin Automatic Opener, news reports relating to the use of parachutes for airplane passengers and a three folders of photographs featuring Irvin products and installations. Also included with this donation was a folder of reports and information on the North American X-15.

Rights

Material is subject to Smithsonian Terms of Use. Should you wish to use NASM material in any medium, please submit an Application for Permission to Reproduce NASM Material, available at Permissions Requests

Restrictions

No restrictions on access

Topics

North American X-15

Parachutes

Aeronautics

Aeronautics -- Safety measures

Type

Collection descriptions

Archival materials

Photographs

Reports