The founder of the ski equipment firm and the inventor of the release binding has died. Georges Salomon was 85.
He died in Annecy, France, this week.
Tributes to him have been paid from across the ski world as he started the company that grew into one of the major brands.
He originally manufactured saw blades before moving into making the edges for skis and then bindings.
It all began in 1947 in Annecy and by the early 1950s he began making ski edges using automatic machines.
By the mid 1960s the company had grown and he developed the first heel release binding.
In the 1970s Salomon was the leading manufacturer of bindings in the world and in the mid 1970s it started producing clothing, bags and other accessories.
By the end of the decade it began making ski boots.
But what Georges Salomon will best be remembered for is the release ski binding.
Us skiers owe him a considerable debt.
