Skydiving is an exhilarating sport that attracts thrill-seekers from around the world. Ever since I was a kid, I always wondered what it feels like to jump out of a plane and freefall through the sky towards land. What goes into your head, and what do you see and feel when you are falling through the sky? What can you do? Well, someday in the future, I may have answers to those questions.

However, my naive and curious mind was also wondering. Who invented this great sport? Whose fascination was it? So, I immersed myself in some research and found some amazing and rich history. So, let’s dive into the history of skydiving and discover the inventors and pioneers who made it possible.

The Origin of the Parachute: A Tale of Two Inventors

The Shiji (Records of the Great Historian of China), Sima Qian, a Chinese scholar from 86 BC, writes the tale of a Chinese emperor who survived a jump from an upper story of a burning building by grasping conical straw hats to slow his descent. This pretty much describes the structure of a parachute.

However, during my research, the biggest obstacle I faced was finding out, “Who designed the first parachute?” Two names that were talked about in terms of designing the first parachute are Leonardo da Vinci and Francesco di Giorgio Martini. Although both men have tremendous contributions to the development of the design of the parachute, they also designed their parachutes at the same time. I noticed that Leonardo da Vinci is generally credited and acknowledged more for designing the first parachute because his design seemed more physics-friendly. I suppose it seemed easier to land on a parachute designed by Leonardo da Vinci as opposed to Francesco di Giorgio Martini’s design.

The First Successful Parachute Jump

André-Jacques Garnerin

This is when I found out about the man who dared to make the first successful parachute jump from a hot air balloon: André-Jacques Garnerin. On October 22, 1797, Garnerin jumped from a balloon 3,200 feet above Paris. His parachute was made of silk and resembled an umbrella. Garnerin’s successful jump marked a significant milestone in the history of skydiving.

Garnerin continued to make jumps and improve his parachute designs. He became a celebrated figure in aviation history. His wife, Jeanne-Geneviève Garnerin, also became the first female parachutist. Together, they popularized parachuting and inspired future aviators.

I cannot be more astonished and thankful towards him. Because of his bravery and his naive curiosity, he practically initiated and led the way in skydiving, inspiring future generations and establishing it as a popular culture.

The Birth of Sport Parachuting

Skydiving evolved from a survival technique to a sport. This transition happened in the mid-20th century. The development of sport parachuting is an exciting chapter in skydiving history.

Jacques-André Istel

Jacques-André Istel is often called the father of American skydiving. In the 1950s, he promoted skydiving as a sport in the United States. Istel organized competitions and training programs. Istel also co-authored the first skydiving manual. His efforts helped establish skydiving clubs across the country. By the 1960s, skydiving had become a popular recreational activity.

Ever since, skydiving has evolved so much it has become people’s dream. Today, skydiving is not just an extreme sport but a symbol of pushing the boundaries of human potential and experiencing the world from a unique perspective.

Skydiving’s rich history is a testament to human curiosity, bravery, and innovation. As I have embarked on this journey to feed my naive curiosity, I have discovered the incredible stories and remarkable individuals who have shaped this thrilling sport.