david barrish story

David Barish started his flying career at the age of 18-years-old. In 1939 the US government was suffering a shortage of pilots, and was offering a free training programme to new recruits. 'I was soon a co-pilot for TWA, flying transatlantic routes,' he recalls. 'My brother, was three years older than me, was a bomber pilot flying the B17 flying Fortress, and was killed in the Normandy landings in 1944. I joined the US Airforce soon after, and trained as a fighter pilot on the Mustang. But luckily, the day I graduated was the day Japan surrendered. The war was over.'
David then gained a place at the prestigious Cal Tech university, where he obtained a Master’s degree in theoretical aerodynamics. He put it into good use by working for the Air Force's Research and Development division at Dayton. In 1953, he left the armed forces, but remained a consultant for the Air Force and NASA. In 1955, he designed the Vortex Ring, a revolutionary parachute consisting of four flexible wings rotating on an axis, producing the same effect as the blades of a helicopter. With a better sink rate, a reduced opening shock, half the weight, and no oscillation, the Vortex Ring was dubbed 'the perfect parachute.' Another advantage is that on landing, the Vortex Ring immediately folds itself up, even in a strong wind, which avoids being dragged along the ground- which could be quite an advantage for paraglider pilots! It was produced by Pioneer, the world’s leading manufacturer, and is still used today by the American army.