Parachute Jump

Parachute Jump
Name	Parachute Jump
Location	Coney Island, Brooklyn
Status	Landmark
Type	Drop tower / Parachute ride
Opened	1939
Designer	Strong-Crittenden Company
Height	262 ft

Parachute Jump The Parachute Jump is a historic amusement ride and landmark originally built for the 1939 New York World's Fair and later installed at Coney Island, Brooklyn. It blends aspects of aeronautics, parachuting, drop tower attractions, and exhibition engineering, and has been associated with numerous designers, operators, and cultural institutions since its construction. The structure has connections to international fairs, municipal preservation efforts, and entertainment companies involved in mid-20th-century amusement history.

History

The ride debuted at the 1939 New York World's Fair and was designed by firms such as the Strong-Crittenden Company and built amid participation by exhibitors including the United States Army, U.S. Navy, and contractors linked to the Works Progress Administration. After the fair, the structure was relocated to Coney Island near landmarks like the Wonder Wheel, Nathan's Famous, and the Luna Park (1903). Ownership and operation over time involved entities such as Steeplechase Park, Astroland, and later municipal agencies including the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation and the Landmarks Preservation Commission. Preservation campaigns engaged organizations like the New York Landmarks Conservancy, cultural figures including Robert Moses opponents, and community activists connected to the Coney Island USA arts collective. The site has seen renovations funded by city budgets, philanthropic sources related to the National Trust for Historic Preservation, and private developers linked to redevelopment projects such as those by Thor Equities.

Design and Components

The steel structure reflects engineering practices similar to those used in projects by firms such as American Bridge Company and contractors who worked on projects like the Empire State Building and the Brooklyn Bridge. Key components include a central tower, winch assemblies resembling those used by Curtiss-Wright and Boeing for early parachute trials, parachute canopies modeled after designs from pioneers like Irvin Irving and Leslie Irvin, and gondola platforms influenced by drop ride manufacturers such as Intamin and Vekoma. Mechanical systems incorporate braking technology related to innovations from Westinghouse Electric Corporation and cable rigging comparable to installations by Otis Elevator Company. Lighting and decorative elements have ties to scenic designers who worked on venues like Radio City Music Hall and Madison Square Garden. Structural analyses reference standards promulgated by bodies such as the American Society of Civil Engineers and materials suppliers including U.S. Steel and Carnegie Steel Company.

Types and Techniques

Although the Coney Island example is a fixed amusement installation, parachute systems relate to military and civilian prototypes from organizations like the United States Air Force, the British Parachute Regiment, and the Red Army airborne units. Techniques for canopy deployment and descent rate control evolved alongside manufacturers such as Irvin Air Chute Company and innovators like Gordon Bennett and Charles Broadwick. Recreational analogs include modern drop towers by Six Flags and themed attractions by Disneyland and Universal Studios, while instructional methods draw on training protocols employed by institutions like the United States Parachute Association, the British Parachute Association, and sporting clubs such as the Parachute Club of America. Variants include static display towers, tandem systems popularized by companies affiliated with Skydive Chicago and Skydive Arizona, and competition canopies used in events run by bodies like the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale and the United States Parachute Association.

Safety and Regulation

Regulatory frameworks affecting the structure and its operation have involved municipal codes enforced by the New York City Department of Buildings, federal agencies including the Federal Aviation Administration, and standards from organizations such as the American National Standards Institute and Occupational Safety and Health Administration. Inspections and certifications reference protocols used by entities like the Insurance Services Office and testing laboratories including Underwriters Laboratories. Historic preservation overlay influenced compliance with guidelines from the National Park Service when the site was considered in broader heritage initiatives, and coordination with transit agencies like the Metropolitan Transportation Authority has occurred for access planning. Liability matters have drawn legal attention from law firms and courts such as the United States Court of Appeals and local judicial venues.

Training and Certification

Operators and technicians historically required training comparable to that mandated for amusement personnel by associations such as the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions and the National Association of Tower Operators. Technical courses referenced curricula similar to those offered by vocational schools like New York City College of Technology and engineering programs at institutions such as Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Columbia University. Safety certification processes mirrored certifications administered by the American Society for Testing and Materials and credentialing approaches used by National Commission for Certifying Agencies-accredited programs. Training also intersected with military parachute instruction methods from academies like the United States Military Academy and training centers such as Fort Benning.

Cultural Impact and Records

The structure has featured in film and television productions involving studios like Paramount Pictures, RKO Pictures, Warner Bros., and in works by directors such as Martin Scorsese and Woody Allen. It appears in photographic essays by artists associated with institutions like the Museum of Modern Art and publications including Life (magazine) and The New York Times. Cultural events at the site have linked to festivals organized by Coney Island USA, performances involving groups like the New York Philharmonic, and publicity stunts reminiscent of spectacles staged by producers such as P.T. Barnum and promoters like Bill Graham. Records and milestones include appearances in lists by the National Register of Historic Places, preservation awards from the Municipal Art Society, and mentions in guidebooks by publishers like Fodor's and Lonely Planet.

Category:Coney Island Category:Amusement Rides