Dorf

[FW]

That is what I was thinking FW but I could not say for sure and just needed clarification.

Have to have some one like you be able to validate what us hillbillies up here have to say when we do konw a few things about cave diving.

SLIM

[FW]

I just looked through my logbook. There are no notes about the first use of line arrows, but it had to be well before fall of 1981, because I saw them in use in Ben's cave then. It could have been as early as late 1979, because I put the first arrow in Champion springs, and fall 1979 is showing as my last dive there before 2003. I started selling arrows through the Branford Dive Center, soon after Phil Janca left.

[skip]

ok, thanks! I wonder if jill or bill are taking tidbits to file for the next edition?

-skip

[FW]

I just looked through my logbook. There are no notes about the first use of line arrows, but it had to be well before fall of 1981, because I saw them in use in Ben's cave then. It could have been as early as late 1979, because I put the first arrow in Champion springs, and fall 1979 is showing as my last dive there before 2003. I started selling arrows through the Branford Dive Center, soon after Phil Janca left.

Hmmm, I just realized, I sold the first batch of 100 arrows *to* Phil Janca at the Branford Dive Center. I remember, because he said, "I will never be able to sell 100 arrows. There are only 10 caves, and 10 arrows per cave will saturate the market". Talk about Famous Last Words

[JahJahwarrior]

Any chance there are pictures of these first arrows, and first cookies?

[FW]

Any chance there are pictures of these first arrows, and first cookies?

The prototype line arrow, and the first arrow ever put in a cave are both at the Cavedivers Museum in the back of Cave Excursions East. I guess I could donate my handmade cookie, unless Danny wants to donate a prototype.

http://www.dir-mexico.com/bios-danny.htm

TJ took some pictures in my shop a few years ago, maybe he can post links.

[Sludge]

maybe he can post links.

http://www.cavediver.net/forum/galle...c00085-med.jpg

http://www.cavediver.net/forum/galle...c00081-med.jpg

http://www.cavediver.net/forum/galle...c00089-med.jpg
(this one has the early arrows)

http://www.cavediver.net/forum/galle...c00086-med.jpg ("Wilson" reels)

[sskasser]

That first one be the beast what tried to eat your hand, Forrest! These photos must be before the blood spatters

[MORGAN]

OOH! OOH! I want that lathe! Tool lust is a terrible thing...

The disarray and the boxes and shelves covered with dusty stuff looks very like my shop. I keep telling myself that I ought to clean it up, but I'd rather spend what time I have making stuff rather than cleaning.

Mike

[SueG]

Interesting they are using that article to sell arrows

It is a pretty good rendition of the story, so I won't add to it. It was in the early '80s.

Does anyone know the story of the cookie? I have one of the original handmade cookies. It was given to me by the designer, Daniel Riordan. I don't know why he didn't just use the slot design of the arrow, but the cookies seem to stay on the line, so it doesn't really matter.

Hi All,

I had been searching on-and-off since 1995 for more info on the history of the line arrow -- Dorff marker was easy, but not Forrest’s line arrow. I didn't have much success, other than what I recall as a very short paragraph.

I brought out my Line Arrow pendant and Dive Rite Reel pendant in early 1999. Lamar had me get in touch with Harry A. for a couple of reasons. Harry emailed me Forrest’s article with his byline, which I assumed was some where on Harry’s website. It turned out that my friend, Joe D., knew FW made the line arrow (as well as other equipment) and contacted him at work on behalf of me.

FW emailed Joe the same article, along with permission for us to use and cut it as we needed. Joe (a cave instructor at that time) and I added some introductory info to those unfamiliar with cave diving, but our version is basically just a reworking of Forrest’s. Lamar filled me in on the later bits about manufacturing. Joe (or I) emailed FW our final reworking, which is what appears on my jewelry website, on the weblink “RN” provided, and at the Cave Diving Museum.

Other scuba websites started featuring this version later perhaps in 99 or 2000. The web link “RN” provided had this featured on a previous tech training website of the owner’s, but in the Library section.

My point back in ’95 was that some of the 2nd generation cave diving instructors and divers weren’t sure either…and a pesky student and CDS member from up north just kept asking here and there. After I found out the answer, I thought it important that Forrest get credit. It’s also ironic that the Line Arrow History version used to explain what that “funny looking triangle” jewelry pendant thing is to some of my customers ends up being referenced.

Forrest -- if this helps in further pin-pointing things down, Lamar had written me in ‘99 that DR bought the entire mass-production run of line arrows from PMI in 1984; subtract out the time from when PMI asked permission from you and molded from one of your handmade arrows. Do you need a copy of your original article?