227 years of parachutes

On this day in 1797, André-Jacques Garnerin (1769-1823), a French balloonist and inventor, jumped from a hot air balloon in a Paris park. He jumped down with what appeared to be a cloth umbrella about 7 meters in diameter, making this the world's first parachute descent. In honor of this feat, October 22nd was made "Parachute day". 

The English word "parachute" comes from the French - it is a combination of the French words "protect" (para) and "fall" (chute). Garnelan's parachute, as well as the hot air balloon he jumped out of, were self made. Later, the parachute was improved, and an exhaust valve was added to allow for a more stable descent. And today, they are much safer than the one Garnelan would have used back in 1797.

It blows the mind to think that the first parachute jump was 227 years ago. And now people use them to voluntarily jump out of planes! They are of course also used, in some instances, in an event of an emergency at altitude. I hope I never have a cause to use one! I do like to watch people skydiving in Kawajima town, beside Kawagoe, where the Tokyo Skydiving club jump. The photo in this post was taken there. Have you ever used one / been skydiving?