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Main milestones

Birth of Katharina Paulus
December 22, 1868
Katharina Paulus was born in Bernstadt an der Weide, Silesia (now Bierutów, Poland). Details of her early life are scarce, but her later career suggests a curious and adventurous spirit that eventually led her to the daring world of aerial acrobatics and innovation.
Apprenticeship in the Circus Arts
Late 19th Century
Paulus entered the world of performance arts. She started working in different circuses and theaters as a variety performer. This is where she became acquainted with the art of making trick clothes and costumes, including those made from fabric and textiles. She was very skilled and quickly acquired the status of being the go-to person when artists need to build sophisticated costumes and clothes.
Early Parachute Jumps
1890s
Paulus began her career as a parachute jumper, performing daring feats at exhibitions and public events. At this time, parachute jumping was still a very dangerous and novel spectacle, and Paulus quickly gained fame for her courage and skill.
Marriage to Hermann Lattemann
1890s
Paulus married Hermann Lattemann, another prominent balloonist and parachute jumper. Together, they formed a successful aerial exhibition team. Lattemann was Paulus' colleague and helped her with the necessary contacts to promote her performances.
Tragedy Strikes: Death of Hermann Lattemann
1894
Hermann Lattemann died in 1894 in an accident that occurred during a group parachute jump. At the time, Lattemann attempted to jump together with four other jumpers, but all of their parachute lines got entangled. All five jumpers died in that accident.
Further development of existing parachute technology
1890s
After the death of her husband, Paulus began to work on improving existing parachute technology. She wanted to make parachutes safer, more reliable, and also easier to transport. The safety of parachute jumpers was the main driver for her research.
Invention of the Collapsible Parachute
Around 1900
Paulus developed and patented the world's first collapsible parachute. This innovative design allowed the parachute to be packed more compactly and reliably, making it easier to transport and deploy, and significantly improving safety. She used a spring loaded container where the parachute would be located. Also she made the parachute in such a way, that it could easily be folded.
Continued Exhibition Jumps and Demonstrations
Early 20th Century
Paulus continued to perform parachute jumps, showcasing her invention and promoting its benefits. She became a sought-after performer and demonstrated her parachute at airshows and exhibitions across Europe.
Parachute Production for the Military
World War I
During World War I, Paulus established a workshop to produce parachutes for the German military, contributing significantly to the war effort. She became a major manufacturer, employing numerous workers to produce life-saving equipment for pilots.
Death of Katharina Paulus
July 26, 1935
Katharina Paulus died on July 26, 1935. Her inventions and pioneering achievements left a lasting impact on aviation safety and cemented her legacy as a remarkable woman in a male-dominated field. The impact of the newly developed parachutes on the safety of the pilots was tremendous.

Relationships and Family

Personal Relationships (limited information)
Throughout her life
Specific details about Katharina Paulus's personal relationships and family life are scarce. Historical records provide little information about her marital status, children, or close friends. Her dedication to her career as a parachute jumper likely consumed much of her time and energy. Further research may uncover more about her personal life.

Later Life and Death

Retirement from Public Performances
Mid 1930s
After a career spanning several decades, Paulus retired from public parachute jumping. The exact reasons for her retirement are unclear but likely related to age and the changing landscape of aviation.
Death
July 26, 1935
Katharina Paulus died on July 26, 1935. The details surrounding her death, including the location and cause, are difficult to verify with absolute certainty from available resources. However, her legacy as a pioneer in parachuting remains secure.

The Rise of a Parachute Jumper: Training and Early Performances

Apprenticeship and Training
Late 1880s - Early 1890s
Katharina Paulus began training as a parachute jumper. Likely, she apprenticed under an established aeronaut or parachute performer, learning the techniques of rigging, jumping, and maneuvering parachutes. Given the novelty of the field, this training would have been rigorous and self-taught to some degree.
First Public Jumps
Early 1890s
Paulus made her first public parachute jumps, captivating audiences with her daring feats. She quickly gained recognition for her skill and bravery, becoming a sought-after performer at exhibitions and airshows.

Professional Career: Exhibition Jumps and Public Appearances

Extensive Exhibition Jumping
1890s - 1910s
Paulus traveled extensively, performing parachute jumps at exhibitions, fairs, and airshows throughout Germany and Europe. She became a well-known and respected figure in the aeronautical community, drawing large crowds to her daring performances.
Rising Popularity and Recognition
Early 20th Century
Paulus achieved widespread fame and recognition for her skill and bravery. She was celebrated as a pioneer and a role model for women in aviation, inspiring others to pursue their dreams.

Impact and Legacy

Influence on Parachute Technology
Late 19th Century - Early 20th Century
Paulus's invention of the collapsible parachute significantly advanced parachute technology, improving safety and reliability. Her design influenced subsequent parachute developments and contributed to the evolution of parachuting as both a sport and a safety measure.
Recognition as a Pioneer
20th Century and Beyond
Katharina Paulus is remembered as a pioneering figure in parachuting and aviation. Her courage, skill, and innovation inspired generations of aviators and continue to be celebrated in aviation history.

Early Life and Personal Development

Birth in Wöllstein, Germany
December 22, 1868
Katharina Paulus was born in Wöllstein, Germany. Details about her parents and immediate family during this time are scarce, but her early environment likely played a role in cultivating her adventurous spirit.
Early Education and Influences
Late 19th Century
Information about her formal education is limited. However, growing up in Germany during a period of rapid industrial and technological advancement likely exposed her to new ideas and innovations, possibly sparking her interest in mechanics and flight.

Innovation and Invention: The Collapsible Parachute

Development and Experimentation
Mid-1890s
Paulus began experimenting with parachute designs, seeking to improve upon existing models. She identified the need for a more compact and reliable parachute that could be easily deployed and packed, leading to her invention of the collapsible parachute.
Invention of the Collapsible Parachute
Late 1890s
Katharina Paulus successfully invented the first collapsible parachute. This innovative design allowed for easier packing and deployment, making parachuting safer and more accessible. While exact patent details are often debated, her contribution to the design is undisputed.
Articles
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Notes collections
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Notes
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Days in Chronicle
2
26 July, 1935
Katharina 'Käthe' Paulus died at the age of 66 and was buried in Reinickendorf. This marks the end of the life of a pioneering woman who significantly contributed to the development of parachute technology and aerial performance.
22 December, 1868
Katharina 'Käthe' Paulus was born in Zellhausen, Germany. This marks the beginning of the life of a pioneering figure in parachute development and aerial acrobatics. She later became known for inventing the first collapsible parachute and her daring performances.
Brief
Known For
German exhibition parachute jumper and the inventor of the first collapsible parachute.
Key Dates and Places
  • Born Date: 22 December 1868.
  • Death Date: 26 July 1935.
Career
  • Past occupations: Exhibition parachute jumper, Inventor.
  • Previous Place of Work: Various exhibition locations.
Achievements and Recognition
  • Awards: Invention of the first collapsible parachute.
Main Milestones
Birth of Katharina Paulus
December 22, 1868
Katharina Paulus was born in Bernstadt an der Weide, Silesia (now Bierutów, Poland). Details of her early life are scarce, but her later career suggests a curious and adventurous spirit that eventually led her to the daring world of aerial acrobatics and innovation.
Apprenticeship in the Circus Arts
Late 19th Century
Paulus entered the world of performance arts. She started working in different circuses and theaters as a variety performer. This is where she became acquainted with the art of making trick clothes and costumes, including those made from fabric and textiles. She was very skilled and quickly acquired the status of being the go-to person when artists need to build sophisticated costumes and clothes.
Early Parachute Jumps
1890s
Paulus began her career as a parachute jumper, performing daring feats at exhibitions and public events. At this time, parachute jumping was still a very dangerous and novel spectacle, and Paulus quickly gained fame for her courage and skill.
Marriage to Hermann Lattemann
1890s
Paulus married Hermann Lattemann, another prominent balloonist and parachute jumper. Together, they formed a successful aerial exhibition team. Lattemann was Paulus' colleague and helped her with the necessary contacts to promote her performances.
Tragedy Strikes: Death of Hermann Lattemann
1894
Hermann Lattemann died in 1894 in an accident that occurred during a group parachute jump. At the time, Lattemann attempted to jump together with four other jumpers, but all of their parachute lines got entangled. All five jumpers died in that accident.
Further development of existing parachute technology
1890s
After the death of her husband, Paulus began to work on improving existing parachute technology. She wanted to make parachutes safer, more reliable, and also easier to transport. The safety of parachute jumpers was the main driver for her research.
Invention of the Collapsible Parachute
Around 1900
Paulus developed and patented the world's first collapsible parachute. This innovative design allowed the parachute to be packed more compactly and reliably, making it easier to transport and deploy, and significantly improving safety. She used a spring loaded container where the parachute would be located. Also she made the parachute in such a way, that it could easily be folded.
Continued Exhibition Jumps and Demonstrations
Early 20th Century
Paulus continued to perform parachute jumps, showcasing her invention and promoting its benefits. She became a sought-after performer and demonstrated her parachute at airshows and exhibitions across Europe.
Parachute Production for the Military
World War I
During World War I, Paulus established a workshop to produce parachutes for the German military, contributing significantly to the war effort. She became a major manufacturer, employing numerous workers to produce life-saving equipment for pilots.
Death of Katharina Paulus
July 26, 1935
Katharina Paulus died on July 26, 1935. Her inventions and pioneering achievements left a lasting impact on aviation safety and cemented her legacy as a remarkable woman in a male-dominated field. The impact of the newly developed parachutes on the safety of the pilots was tremendous.
Katharina Paulus

Katharina "Käthe" Paulus (22 December 1868 – 26 July 1935)[1] was a German exhibition parachute jumper and the inventor of the first collapsible parachute.[2] At the time, 1910, the parachute was named "rescue apparatus for aeronauts".[3] The previous parachutes were not able to fit in a case like apparatus worn on the back,[4] thus Paulus' invention became of paramount importance for the Germans in the First World War and she produced about 7,000 parachutes for the German forces.[5] During the First World War, Paulus created approximately 125 parachutes a week. She was also credited with inventing the "drag 'chute", an intentional breakaway system where one small parachute opens to pull out the main parachute.[6]

Key Information

Paulus was an avid aeronaut herself and logged over 510 balloon flights and over 165 parachute jumps in her lifetime. She was the first German to be a professional air pilot[7] and the first German woman aerial acrobat.[8]

Despite the fact that hot air balloons are currently known as a sort of tourist attraction, during the final decades of the 19th century these hot air balloons were on the cutting edge of technology, and were popular before the invention of airplane.[9]

Life

[edit]

Paulus was born in Zellhausen, today part of Mainhausen, near Frankfurt, Germany, into a working-class family. Her father worked as a day laborer and died when she was nineteen years old.[10] After his death, Paulus picked up her mother's trade of seamstressing to help support the family.

At 21, she met Hermann Lattemann, a well-known balloonist, and began working as his assistant to repair the balloons with her skills as a seamstress. Paulus and Lattemann begun to develop their professional and personal relationship, until Paulus began to parachute herself, and the two eventually were married. They had a son, Willy Hermann Paulus, who later died of diphtheria. In 1895, the couple were on a joint jump when Lattlemann's parachute failed to deploy. Paulus watched him fall to his death.[11]

While grieving the death of her husband, Paulus stayed in bed for months. During this time, thousands of admirers mailed letters of support to her to request she continue her career of being a ballooner. She then bought four new parachutes and set off on a tour of Europe using the stage name Miss Polly. She performed theatrically, using acrobatic feats and even riding a bicycle suspending from a hot air balloon's basket. Paulus became an international success.[12]

Paulus completed her last balloon jump at age 63 on August 5, 1931.[13]

Death

[edit]

Paulus died at the age of 66 and is buried in a cemetery in Reinickendorf.

Honors

[edit]
  • In 2006, a street in Berlin was named after Paulus titled "The Katharina-Paulus-Straße". It was formerly titled Lehrter station. It is located between Europaplatz in the north and Old Moabit in the south.[14]
  • A street is named in her honor in Frankfurt-Bockenheim
  • Paulus was the first German woman to parachute out of a hot air balloon.
  • In 1917, Paulus received a Service Cross of Merit after twenty balloon German troops parachuted to safety.[15]
  • Paulus will be inducted into the International Skydiving Hall of Fame in September 2024[16]
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Käthe Paulus.

References

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#person#woman#german#germany#exhibition#aviation#pioneer#inventor#engineer#parachutist#jumper#daredevil