The Air Force struggled in the late 50s and early 60s with a simple but challenging problem. Crew who had to eject from supersonic planes were subjected to extreme and sometimes lethal strain. So the Air Force began testing experimental ejection devices — on bears.
Initially, they had tested new ejection seat designs by hiring people they recruited out of unemployment lines to act as test dummies.
At first, the bears and other animals tested ejection seats and capsules on rocket sleds. Once the Air Force was relatively sure of the design, they began flying the aircraft and ejecting the animals at altitude.
There was one fatality among the animals during testing. One bear had a brain condition that wasn't detected prior to the flight and the physical strain during the ejection killed the animal. Two other bears suffered minor fractures and bruising during their flights.
Unfortunately, the Air Force needed to be sure that there were no hidden injuries before they returned to human subjects and ordered autopsies, which resulted in the deaths of all the animals that had otherwise survived testing.
Pictured is Yogi the bear ejecting in 1962 at 35,000 ft, 870mph. #machbear #strapon #stayzero #zerofoxtrot