History of Smokejumping
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1939
The Birth of Smokejumping

At the beginning of the 1939 field season, the Aerial Experimental Project was transferred from California to the North Pacific Region (Region 6). David P. Godwin, Assistant Chief of Fire Control, was in charge, with Lage Wernstedt representing the Region and Harold King as Forest Service pilot. It was during this summer that the decision was made to abandon the bombing tests, and on Godwin's recommendation, the unexpended balance of experimental funds was authorized for carrying on a parachute jumping experiment. A contract was prepared providing for parachutes, protective clothing, and the services of professional riggers and jumpers, the Eagle Parachute Company of Lancaster, Pennsylvania, being the successful bidder. The experiment was conducted at Winthrop, Washington, on the Chelan National Forest during the period October 5 to November 15, with Beach Gill of the Eagle Company serving as consultant and collaborator — under appointment of the Secretary of Agriculture. A small group of professional jumpers, with Frank M. Derry in charge conducted a number of dummy tests and approximately 60 live jumps were made, largely by employees of the contractor. Toward the end of the experiment, several Forest Service employees were allowed to jump into both open-field and timbered areas. There were no injuries of consequence.

The 30 foot diameter Eagle parachute was the first canopy style used by the smokejumpers. Used until 1944.

The selected training outfit, consisting of Eagle 30-foot backpack and 27-foot emergency chest-pack canopies with quick-attachable harness, appeared to be satisfactory, while a two-piece, felt-padded suit, football helmet with wire-mesh face mask, athletic supporter, ankle braces, combined back and abdominal brace, and heavy logger boots completed the attire of the jumper and provided protection from the hitherto unknown hazards of timber jumping. The conclusions were that smokejumpers could land safely in all kinds of green timber cover common to the Chelan National Forest at altitudes ranging from 2,000 to 6,800 feet. Successful jumps were also made in mountain meadows, open ridgetops and on steep, boulder-strewn slopes.



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Last Updated: 12-Sep-2011