Charles Broadwick
Charles Henry Broadwick | |
|---|---|
| Born | John Murray 22 February 1875 Grand Rapids, Kent County, Michigan |
| Died | 9 March 1943 San Mateo County, California |
| Nationality | American |
| Occupation(s) | Inventor, aeronaut |
| Known for | parachute innovations, instructing female parachutist Tiny Broadwick |
| Spouses | Jeanette "Jennie" Ringold [1899-1904], Maude Broadwick [1904-1905] Georgia Anne "Tiny Broadwick" Thompson, Ethel Lillian Knutsen [1919-1920] |
Charles Broadwick (born John Murray, 1870s–1943) was an American pioneering parachutist and inventor. An executive director of the U.S. Parachute Association, Ed Scott, said "just about all modern parachute systems" use ideas Broadwick developed: "an integrated, form-fitting harness and container system nestled on the back." Broadwick developed the static line, a line from a parachute to an aircraft that pulls the parachute from its pouch. Static lines are still used by paratroopers and novice skydivers. U.S. Army Warrant Officer Jeremiah Jones commented, "[Broadwick] is like the grandfather of paratroopers." Broadwick demonstrated parachute jumps at fairs and taught and equipped famous female parachutist Tiny Broadwick.