Issue link: https://nebusinessmedia.uberflip.com/i/1467797
W o r c e s t e r 3 0 0 : C i t y o f I n n o v a t o r s 45 A rea textile innovator David Clark Company took an unlikely path into the aerospace industry. When David Clark founded the company in 1935, he was primarily a designer and manufacturer of fabrics having compressive, i.e. stretch, characteristics. "Typically, these were utilized in 'foundation garments' such as girdles, that were made for both men and women," explained Daniel M. Barry, vice president, Aerospace Life Support Systems at the company. In fact, such discreet garments were the primary product line for years, eventually including brassiere manufacture, when Sears and Roebuck approached the company to deliver a particularly challenging design. Around 1941 Clark became aware of 'blackout,' a condition experienced by World War II fighter pilots flying high performance aircra. When subjected to high G forces, blood pooled in their lower extremities, depriving the brain of oxygenated blood and sometimes leading to loss of consciousness. "Clark theorized that a snug fitting garment worn on the lower body would help to prevent this pooling of blood," according to Barry. rough experimentation and then collaboration with the Aeromedical Research Group at Wright Field as well as the Mayo Clinic, he developed a series of garments that achieved additional compressive force through incorporation of pressurized bladders, Barry said. Clark eventually expanded his expertise to full body garments to protect aviators operating at high altitudes in hypobaric (low pressure) environments. ese garments came to be known as pressure, or space suits; the company still directly supports the Air Force U-2 program. Mr. Clark's expertise in designing specialty materials and his ability to manufacture complex David Clark: Aerospace's clothier garments were critical contributions to solving the problems associated with both high-speed and high-altitude flight, Barry said. e company continues to function at the leading edge. According to David Accetta, Chief, Public Affairs at the U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command Soldier Center in Natick, researchers there still use a David Clark suit in their Combat Feeding Division "to demonstrate the 'tube food' that we create for pilots to eat during their missions." – Alan R. Earls IMAGES | WORCESTER HISTORICAL MUSEUM 1922-2021 A David Clark space suit circa 1970s. This 1988 ad from the David Clark Co. showcases the various innovations the firm has made since it started working on aerospace suits in the 1940s.