While Churchill Swim Fins were a tremendous step in the right direction, many ocean enthusiasts thought that a bigger, stiffer blade might provide even more propulsion. Arthur H. Brown was an avid diver and inventor. He wanted more thrust from his swim fins. He also wanted a fin that would float if it fell off. He thought both fins should be symmetrical, like a duck's foot, and not asymmetrical like the split dolphin tail design of Churchill Fins. He made the molds and found the right blend of vulcanized rubber to achieve these goals. He began manufacturing Duck Feet Swim Fins as well as masks and snorkels. His company was called, "The Spearfisherman Co." These fins had stiffening rails and an open heel design, unlike the full foot pocket fins concurrently being developed by Cressi in Europe.
The Spearfisherman Co. began to manufacture a longer stiffer bladed duck foot, which they marketed to the U.S. Navy Underwater Demolition Team. These UDT Duck Feet gained a popular following that continues today. Despite his accomplishments, Brown was unable to keep his company afloat financially. At this point in history, different sources tell different stories about how things proceeded. Some state that Brown sold his company to Voit Rubber Corp. Some claim that it was more of a hostile take over. Still other sources say that Brown sold his company to Pacific Moulded Products, which also owned the Swimaster line of scuba equipment. However it happened, Voit and Swimaster merged in the early 1950's and Voit took over the manufacturing of Duck Feet, and they continue to manufacture Duck Feet to this day.
Voit started out as a tire retreading company. They moved into the manufacturing of footballs, basket balls, water polo balls, and fuel bladders for WW II aircraft. The were purchased by American Machine and Foundary (AMF) in 1957, and relocated to Santa Ana, CA. Some Duck Feet are marked with the AMF logo.
In 1983 they moved operations overseas to take advantage of cheaper labor. Both Voit and Swimaster equipment were used in the TV shows Sea Hunt and Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea, as well as the James Bond movie, "Thunderball".
For more information on Swim Fin History, check out Cal Porter's excellent "A Bit of Swim Fin History" at surfmatters.blogspot.com/2010/01/swim.fin.history.html
Also check out Hawaiianpaipodesigns.com/best-bodyboarding-fins/
and swimfininvention.weebly.com/history.html
Comentários