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Nadia · 30 May 2006, 01:50 PM

Hi there, I just joined this exciting forum, so please excuse me if I am posting this in the wrong section or if I missed any major discussions on this topic, but I really hope that I can find some help here.

I am a Washington, DC-based filmmaker and am currently working on a documentary about Stefan Banic, a man who invented and patented a type of parachute in 1914 that, according to some sources, was used by the US Army in WWI. (I am finding this claim hard to believe, since I have yet to find any proof of that.)

The reason why I'm turning to this forum is that I am looking for a WWI aviation expert in the Washington, DC metropolitan area (or possibly other not-too distant states) who I could interview about parachute use in WWI. I am not looking for an expert on Stefan Banic per se, I primarily want to talk to someone who could provide me with some historical context on parachuting during this time period. (Although, if anyone out there knows about Stefan Banic or of any documentation connected to his invention, please, don't hesitate to come forward either!)

The National Air and Space Museum was of no help, since the Smithsonian charges filmmakers $250/hour for interviews with their curators...

So, please, if anyone knows of an expert, scholar or even an enthusiast on WWI aviation and parachutes in the greated metro DC region, I would be very grateful for any tips!
Thank you.
nadia

30 May 2006, 01:50 PM	#1 (permalink)
Nadia Observer Join Date: May 2006 Location: Washington, DC Posts: 3	WWI parachutes and Stefan Banic Hi there, I just joined this exciting forum, so please excuse me if I am posting this in the wrong section or if I missed any major discussions on this topic, but I really hope that I can find some help here. I am a Washington, DC-based filmmaker and am currently working on a documentary about Stefan Banic, a man who invented and patented a type of parachute in 1914 that, according to some sources, was used by the US Army in WWI. (I am finding this claim hard to believe, since I have yet to find any proof of that.) The reason why I'm turning to this forum is that I am looking for a WWI aviation expert in the Washington, DC metropolitan area (or possibly other not-too distant states) who I could interview about parachute use in WWI. I am not looking for an expert on Stefan Banic per se, I primarily want to talk to someone who could provide me with some historical context on parachuting during this time period. (Although, if anyone out there knows about Stefan Banic or of any documentation connected to his invention, please, don't hesitate to come forward either!) The National Air and Space Museum was of no help, since the Smithsonian charges filmmakers $250/hour for interviews with their curators... So, please, if anyone knows of an expert, scholar or even an enthusiast on WWI aviation and parachutes in the greated metro DC region, I would be very grateful for any tips! Thank you. nadia