Pioneering jumps

He first achieved national notoriety while in the United States Marine Corps for completing the first ever parachute jump into Yosemite National Park in 1926.^[11] Two years later the California State Automobile Association publication “Motorland” described Atherton as a rather small man in stature, who leaps overboard with only a 24 feet (7.3 m) silk chute to break his fall.^[12]

The year following his Yosemite jump, still active in the U. S. Marine Corps as a Marine Corporal, Atherton demonstrated a high-profile stunt jump to the Assistant Secretary of the Navy, Edward Pearson Warner, at the San Diego Naval Base. Press pictures captured him in mid air at 5,000 feet (1,500 m).^[13]

In September 1927 the press described Sergeant Atherton and Chief Petty Officer Bill Dodson as the Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig of air stage parachute battle. In a joint interview Atherton and Dodson revealed that they made 34 jumps from a high plane and raced one another to the ground from a mile above the earth. Atherton was introduced into the article as a Famous Marine Corps Parachute Jumper, and in his own words describes to the Newspaper Enterprise Association the thrill of jumping out of an airplane, and speeding 90 miles per hour (140 km/h) a half mile above the earth. His plunge from a plane is shown in a series of photographs; at the top of the leap, as his parachute opens, and then upon his final descent.^[14] Months later, Atherton retired from service.

The Archie Atherton School of Parachute Instruction

In April 1928, Time Magazine described Atherton as a crack parachutist of the U. S. Marine Corps, who had opened a private parachute school in San Diego.^[3] The first of its kind; the first such site offering an opportunity for thrill seekers to take up parachuting as a new outdoor sport. His proven track record, at the time of the parachute school's inauguration, was having 700 jumps under his belt. This level of notoriety had sparked interest on a national level and he received detailed coverage statewide in the regional press where he is described by one reporter as a Daredevil who opened a new Thrill School. The first articles praising this new chapter in aviation safety originated from the Miami News-Record in March 1928.^[15] In order to grow his parachute business, Atherton needed experienced parachutists, and was willing to pay a high rate to meet the demand. He promoted his enterprise by placing a parachutist recruitment advertisement in the March 1928 edition of Flying Magazine aiming to efficiently reach a specialist national audience of potential candidates, as well as promote his business.^[16] Within a year he had 135 students.^[17]

Atherton’s Aircraft Safety Equipment Company and Parachute Service

In 1936, he was running another successful enterprise; initially known as the Atherton Parachute Service, it was located within the San Fernando Valley, in the vicinity of Glendale, California. From this site he expanded his business, and acted as a representative for parachute manufacturers, including Switlik parachute Company in New Jersey, a company that continues to be closely involved with the Caterpillar Club.^[18] Atherton was drafted in World War II. His US Marine Corps service and parachute experience and specialist knowledge would have been invaluable to the war effort.^[19] Upon returning to civilian life, Atherton was involved with the Derry Parachute Company, and was employed as a parachute rigging specialist.

During the 1940s, Atherton's aircraft safety equipment company was now located at 109-A South Central, Glendale.^[20] As experienced manufacturers and inspectors of parachutes, his company advertised their pioneer parachute and their inspection, repair and repackaging service. He was a supplier of specialized parachutes for both commercial and military aircraft, and a provider of parachute engineering service and repair for the aircraft manufacturing industry, distributing to California, Arizona and beyond.^[21]