1958 Press Photo Aircraft parachute break testing by Pioneer Parachute Co., Inc.

Parachutes - Gen. A radically new parachute, equipped with sail-like cloth blades that spin like a helicopter's rotor, has been designed and developed by a young New York aeronautical engineer for military paratroop and cargo airdrop operations, missile recovery and ground-breaking of high-speed aircraft. It is shown here under test as a ground brake to slow down aircraft after they land. In this application, the new parachutes rotates vertical plane. David T. Barish, 37, designed and developed the parachute with financial assistance supplied by Laurance S. Rockefeller. It is being produced and marketed under license by Pioneer Parachute Co., Inc., a subsidiary of Reliance Manufacturing Company of New York. The new Vortex Ring parachute, as it is known officially, represents the first major change in parachute design in 50 years.

Photo is dated 1958.

Photo measures 10 x 8.25 inches.