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Ready for His Close-up

Richard “Dick” Edwards plants dynamite in the mechanical shark prop used in filming the classic movie Jaws. During his service in the U.S. Navy during World War II and the Korean War, Edwards became an expert in explosives. Early in his career at WHOI, he applied his knowledge of explosives to the work of seismic researchers, though Navy officials continued to call on his expertise for many years. The famous shark explosion was added to Edwards’ resumé because filmmakers working on-set Martha’s Vineyard needed an explosives expert with a blasting permit to set up their climactic scene. (Photo by Cliff Winget, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution)