Originally Posted by
Shaft109
I once read somewhere and trying to think where - that to support the main Lockheed Skunk works David Clark company set up their own in the back of a department store to help with some suits or similar safety equipment.
I’m probably misquoting but those details stuck in my head- can anyone shed any light?
Either way shows what small focussed groups can do.
The David Clark Company was the go to source for early US pressure suits, and still is a leader today. Your memory of department stores may stem from the fact that the company was also a leader of woman's undergarments, so had good knowledge of tight fitting garments, support etc. Getting into a tight girdle may have some similarities to cinching up a pressure suit
There are stories of early U2, A-11, SR-71 crews quietly going to a rear entrance at the David Clark company HQ in Massachusetts for fittings as each pressure suit was custom made. Those era suits were quite similar to the Mercury space suits.