Why was the parachute created?

Answer 1

Initially skydiving was invented out of parachuting as a means to save an aeronauts life in case their balloon failed at altitude. The idea was not to freefall, but simply to return back to terra firma without injury.

It was thought that the human body could not survive freefall and that you would simply blackout. In the early 20th century, some brave souls invented skydiving with a parachute that could be packed into a harness and container. Over a short period of time, this myth was busted and in fact 'skydivers' realised that skydiving was actually fun, thus the sport was born.

Answer 2

because it was!

Actually Leonardo da vinci made a drawing of a parachute. His thought was that it could serve as a way to evacuate a tall building. Otherwise, it's a bit like "why climb that mountain?" "Because it's there." Some things we do for no other reason than simply because we can.

Answer 3

The first parachute jumps took place in the late 18th century. There was no freefall at that time and the parachute inflated as soon as their 'aeronaut' began to fall. It was not until the packed parachute container system was developed in the first 10 years of the 20th century, that freefall's or skydiving took place. Up to that point, it was assumed that a freefall of more than a few seconds would result in the jumper blacking out and death shortly afterwards.

It was World War II that brought about the development in skydiving equipment and after the war had finished, many military servicemen, wanted to explore jumping further. They purchased surpless military equipment and began to setup their own civilian parachute clubs. This happened in the late 1940's and that is when the sport began to become popular. In 1957, the Parachute Club of America was formed by Joe Crane and other important pioneers.

With a central body, comes coordinated training and learning. The quality of that training and the equipment improved greatly in a short space of time and by reducing the risk, the sport became even more popular.

Today, the sport is over 70 years old, there are many disciplines in the sport such as formation skydiving, freefly, canopy accuracy, wingsuiting, etc. There are artificial wind tunnels to have a taster session in. All of these have contribtued to a sport which world championships, dropzones in most countries and safe equipment.

Answer 4

The earliest ones were for attempts to fly. Even Da Vinci had a design. Evidence dates back to 1400's.

Answer 5

so people wouldn't die when they jump out of airplanes