Virtually indestructable, the P-60 will bring the family together on outings for years of fun. Developed by Domina C. Jalbert in his laboratory he owned, based in Boca Raton, over 40 years ago. Dom first spoke of his new invention in the June 10th 1963 issue of the Sun Sentinel Newspaper, on page A-12. He referred to the device as a kite-balloon vehicle which could be flown with 12 onces of dry-ice pellets to clear fog, by causing precipitation around runways and landing stripes. He also mentioned it could be used to slow space vehicals for re-entry and guide astronauts to a safe recovery area. I believe it was first used by NASA when they tested the X-37 emergency recovery vehical in 1998 for the new orbiting space station...exactly like what Dom had predicted 35 years earlier. It was first successfully flown in Boca Raton, March of 1964. The name for the device went through several transitions before it became known as the Parafoil. It had been referred to as the flying mattress when it's flight was first witnessed. The first few that were ever produced by Mr. Jalbert , were stamped with the name "Kitefoil" and later "Aerofoil", before a German friend of Dom's suggested Parafoil,... which stuck. Mr. Jalbert filed for a patent Oct. 1st 1964...and was granted one on Nov. 15th 1966 under the Patent # 3,285,546. I believe the J-4, (A 4 Square Foot, mylar toy version of the parafoil) was the first commercially produced, introducing a whole new & unique kite/toy category using the Ram-Air Principle... thus eliminating the need for any rigid structure.
Warning!
These Beautifully Crafted and Skillfully Reinforced Parafoils are Extremly Powerful Kites, and should not be taken lightly... Remember, always to use gloves when flying and only within the recommended wind range. Take proper precautions to stay clear of all People, trees and power lines... and never fly during Questionable Weather Situations. When in Doubt...Wait it out, till another day... Better safe then sorry.
