Inventor Name
Stevens, A. Leo & Boland, Edward
Repository
National Air and Space Museum
Smithsonian Institution
Archives Division
Room 3100, MRC 322
PO Box 37012
Washington, DC 20013-7012
202-633-2320
http://www.nasm.si.edu/research/arch/
Summary
A. Leo Stevens (1876-1944) was an inventor who contributed to aviation safety through a work in parachute design. In 1909 he invented the Stevens Safety Pack, the first packback style free opening parachute. In 1942, he invented a delayed opening parachute. Edward Boland (1892-1967) worked in association with Stevens and co-invented the elastic parachute shroud line to reduce opening shock. The collection consists of posters, commerative medals, news clippings, and other items commemorating Stevens and Boland’s contrubutions to aviation.