BANIČ, Štefan
* 23. 11. 1870, Smolenice, Slovakia
† 2. 1. 1941, Smolenice, Slovakia
Inventor (parachute)
In search of a better life B. in 1907 as a simple worker travelled to the United States. There he witnessed the beginning of the American aviation development. Witnessing the tragic air accident, technically gifted B. came to the idea of manufacturing the equipment, which would allow the pilot to leave the aircraft in case of danger and safely land on earth.
The result of his reflections was a prototype of a parachute in the form of umbrella, which he constructed in 1913 and sent to the U.S. Patent Office. It was made from telescopic structure, which looked like a folding umbrella. Such a device would be fitted with special ties to the pilot’s waist. However, it also had its drawbacks as it impeded the mobility of the pilot despite the fact that this telescopic design was shorter by two thirds in the folded state.
On 3rd of June B. tested his parachute in front of the U.S. Patent Office and military representatives. On 25th August he received the U.S. Patent No. 1.108.484.
