On 13 Oct 2005 13:06:32 -0700, "Richard Lamb"
wrote:

Actually, this one it true, Matt.

The technique was first used (AFAIK) by the Wycliff Bible Translators
as a way to deliver
small loads to jungle missionaries.

Richard

Don't THINK that was the first use, but it was definitely an early
use. The bucket could get into terrain you would never land a plane
in, and unteathered drops were too easy to lose.