Stanley Switlik
Stanley Switlik | |
|---|---|
| Born | December 4, 1890 |
| Died | March 4, 1981 (aged 90) Marathon, Florida, U.S. |
| Occupation | Parachute pioneer |
Stanley Switlik was a parachute pioneer. Born in 1890 in Galicia, now part of Poland, he immigrated to the United States at 17 years of age.[1] Originally, his company made heavy sewn items such as golf bags and mailbags.
Parachute tower
With his partner George P. Putnam, he built the first parachute training tower in the United States. The first jump from this tower was on June 2, 1935 by Amelia Earhart, who described the experience as "Loads of fun!".[2][3]
He died of a heart attack in Marathon, Florida on March 4, 1981.[4]
Great Adventure Controversy
In 1973 Switlik initially agreed to sell 800 acres of property he owned to the original company that eventually became the Great Adventure Park in Jackson, NJ. The controversy was how the property was to be utilized. It was his position that it would be used for a drive through animal park, but the plan of the buyers was also to include an amusement park. As a conservationist, the amusement park should not be built. In a long protracted legal battle which eventually went to the US Supreme Court, Mr. Switlik lost his case. A judgement of $4.8 million dollars had been originally awarded, but the long battle increased the payment substantially due to interest on the original judgement. This resulted in the bankruptcy to him and his family. Great Adventure was built and now includes both amusement rides and a drive through animal park. The drive through animal park has been converted to using buses instead of drivers using their own cars.
Legacy
The Stanley Switlik Elementary school in Marathon, Florida is named for him,[5] as is the Switlik Elementary School[6] in Jackson, New Jersey.
References
- ^ http://www.capitalcentury.com/1925.html
- ^ Bellis, Mary. "First Parachute Training Tower". History of the Parachute. About.com. Retrieved 16 January 2010.
- ^ "AMELIA EARHART USES HER FIRST PARACHUTE; Flier Makes Her Initial Jump, With a New Device From a 115-Foot Tower". The New York Times. 3 June 1935. Retrieved 17 January 2010.
- ^ "Stanley Switlik, 90; Parachute Expert". New York Times. 7 March 1981. Retrieved 16 January 2010.
- ^ Stanley Switlik Elementary School website
- ^ Switlik Elementary School