The Washington times., 1901-10-20
THE PARACHUTE JUMPER.
History Of One of tne Nest Dan
gerOus Professions.

introduced by Sam baldwin because
Ordinary Balloon Ascensions FniI-
ed to Draw CroN.ds-Scns&tiOnS of
'sHumGn Cannon BniI.''-Fataiitics.
1t WAS a long time after the first ad-
venUurous Frenchman rode the bag
as balloonists term it. until the para
chute jumper was evolved. In fact. it
was only about fifteen years ago that
the first parachute jump was made.
The story of how Sam Baldwin. the
pioneer in this business Of parachute
Jumping, came to make the first trial
of the capacity of the umbrella TO safe
ly land the aeronaut is linked with the
story of the decadence OF the balloon
ascension trade. Baldwin. with his
brother and Van Tassel all gas balloon
men, We're at Los Angeles in 1887 and
all were down in the mouth over the
condition Of public interest in their as
tensions, or rather the lack of public
interest in them. Ii was agreed that
some new feature must be introduced
that would attract the attention of the
public. Just what it would be was
while until finally sam baldwin con-
ceived the idea Of using the parachute.
His brother and Van Tassel were not
ready to agree with him that the thing
could be done; in fact, both cOntended
that no man could make the jump and
live. The originator Of the plan him
self was not ready to risk himself in
the first experiments and a bag of sand
was substituted To represent the weight
of the man and this was hung to the
parachute.
The gas balloon rose to a point
thousand feet above the surface Of the
earth and the string that held the
parachute in place was pulled and the
contriyance released. Like u plummet
the thing fell swift and straight for 100
feet and then the chute" opened, tie
rapid descent was checked ana the sand
bag came to the earth as gently as the
snowflake On a calm day. Other eX-
periments were tried and it was seen
that the idea was practical The hal
loonists were then eager to begin opera
tions in way that would show returns
at the box Office.
Van Tassel went to san Francisco to
see the newspaper people and arrange
to have representatives, on hand when
the first dive from the clouds" took
place. While he was gone Baldwin be-
came impatient and got up an exhibi-
ton on his own account, and SO was
taken the first drop on the parachute.
The direct result of the successful first
trial was 10 cause break between Van
Tassel and the Baldwins, who had ar
ranged to operate together, and the for
mer began 10 make arrangements to
start out on his own hook. The Bald
wins came East and, realizing that the
first in the field with apparatus and
nerve to handle it would reap the cream
of the profit, fitted out rigs and began
giving exhibitions. getting the start by
q short time of Van Tassel.
Then commenced the golden era of
the balloonists. The thing appealed TO
the popular fancy and it was a rage to
have a Chute" drop at every possible
and suitable opportunity. The seeming
danger Of the balloonist coming down
without the chute opening and the gen
eral impression that he had only small
chance for living through the perform
ance, drew the crowds. 1t was no lon
ger time Of hard luck with the riders
Of the bag. They were sought after and
did not have to seek engagements. Like
the popular stage performer, whose
reputation is made and whose populari-
~ is established, they could command
their own price for a drop after an as
cension. Outside of the two Baldwins
and Van Tassel the other balloonists
were generally afraid Of the chute and
did not dare to attempt its use. This
left the field practically to them and
they made good use of the opportunity
The BaldWins organized a campaign for
the conquest Of the world. With four
assistants and a manager who under
stood The art Of pushing the business /
they made a tour, circumnavigad8g the (
globe and in a year and z half they had
cleared 100000 in cash.
About this time the other balIOonists
began to get over their nervousness
about the chute and 10 make the drop |
The ranks Of those who engaged in the
thrilling act increased rapidly and the
prices charged for the exhibitions drop |
ped almost as quickly as the "chutes" |
did in The first few feet of the descent |
Where the pioneers had been gladly |
paid their Thousand dollars men offered |
TO do the same thing for half the mon |
ey. StiH the reduction In the price went |
on with steady stride until the ruling |
rate was $3.50. There it hung for a short |
time and then descended lower and |
lower until during the past few years /
s25 or $50 is considered the regular |
price it varying according to the needs !
of the performer and the necessities Of !
the country fair or other employer.
There was brought about by the re-
yiyal of the balloon ascension industry |
a large increase in the number OF those |
who were ready TO risk their necEs for |
the big fees that were to be gained |
Those who know something about the |
matter estimate that there are now |
from 800 10 800 persons in the country |
who are dependent upon parachute |
jumping for their livelihood. Not all Of |
these are men. as the ranks OF jumpers |
were quickly broken into by the women |
who dared the dangers and pocketed |
the returns The public rather apprOy- |
ed OF the new field Of work for women |
and there WAS an added excitement 70 |
the thing when there was a prospect |
that "A woman might fall a thousand |
feet. The occupation has never been
considered so safe as TO make balloon
lists desirable risks for life insurance.
but the modern jump with the para
chute has hardly added 10 the dangers |