Parachutes

Parachutes have come a long way since Leonardo da Vinci sketched the first one over 500 years ago. They have evolved from 18th-century oddity to wartime lifesaver to the ultimate thrill-seeking activity. Parachutes have saved more than 100,000 lives since their invention, and using one is now safer than driving a car. But perfecting these highly sophisticated devices has been a risky endeavor for designers. The development of this life-saver required huge leaps of faith by pioneering engineers and courageous test jumpers who risked their lives for innovation. Discover the untold story of parachutes, from the early test-jumps from WWI biplanes to the massive chutes that land vehicles on Mars and from the people who build them, test them, and those who owe their lives to them.