Adeline Gray (parachutist)

Adeline Gray, married names Johnson and Graf, (1915/16 – September 27, 1975) was an early American parachutist.

[2] Gray began making parachute jumps in 1935, at the age of 19, and became the first licensed female parachutist in Connecticut.

[2] Parachutes were traditionally made from silk but World War II led to a shortage of this material as most was imported from Japan.

[2][3][4] Media reports from the time remarked on Gray's calm demeanor before the test, which was her 33rd parachute jump.

[2] Some 90% of DuPont's nylon production had originally been used to manufacture stockings but, after the test, almost all of it was dedicated to military purposes, principally parachutes and reinforcement for tires.

[3] The test brought Gray national attention and she entered into an advertising contract with the R. J. Reynolds Tobacco Company for Camel cigarettes.