Though credit for the invention of the first practical parachute usually goes to Sebastien Lenormand in 1783, Leonardo da Vinci actually conceived the parachute idea a few hundred years earlier.

Da Vinci made a sketch of the invention with this accompanying description: "If a man have a tent made of linen of which the apertures (openings) have all been stopped up, and it be twelve braccia (about 23 feet) across and twelve in depth, he will be able to throw himself down from any great height without suffering any injury."

Perhaps the most distinct aspect of da Vinci’s parachute design was that the canopy was triangular rather than rounded, leading many to question whether it would actually have enough air resistance to float. And since da Vinci’s parachute was to be made with linen covering a wood frame, the hefty weight of the device also was viewed as an issue.

Like many of da Vinci’s ideas, the invention was never actually built or tested by Leonardo himself. But, in 2000, daredevil Adrian Nichols constructed a prototype based on da Vinci’s design and tested it. Despite skepticism from experts, da Vinci’s design worked as intended and Nichols even noted that it had a smoother ride than the modern parachute.

Frequently Asked Questions About Leonardo da Vinci’s Parachute

Did Leonardo da Vinci really invent the parachute?
Leonardo da Vinci sketched one of the earliest detailed parachute designs in the late 1400s. While he may not have been the first person to imagine slowing a fall, his written description and geometric drawings are among the earliest serious engineering concepts for a functional parachute.

What did Leonardo’s parachute look like?
His design had a pyramid shape, with four equal sides forming a tent-like canopy. The cloth was stretched over a wooden frame to hold its shape. Unlike modern round parachutes, Leonardo’s version was rigid and structured rather than flexible.

How was Leonardo’s parachute supposed to work?
The idea was based on air resistance. As a person fell, the wide fabric surface would catch air and slow the descent. Leonardo even wrote that a person could jump from a height and not suffer injury if the parachute was properly constructed.

Did Leonardo da Vinci ever test his parachute?
There is no historical record of Leonardo building or testing it himself. However, centuries later, replicas based on his original drawings have been tested successfully. Modern demonstrations have shown that the pyramid design can slow a fall enough to allow a safe landing.

Has Leonardo’s parachute been proven to work?
Yes. In modern times, skydivers and researchers have recreated the design using materials similar to what Leonardo described. Tests have shown that the concept is aerodynamically sound, even if it is heavier and less practical than modern parachutes.

How is Leonardo’s parachute different from today’s parachutes?
Modern parachutes are lightweight, flexible, and designed for steering and stability. Leonardo’s version relied on a rigid wooden frame and a fixed pyramid shape. Today’s parachutes are easier to pack, deploy, and control, but they rely on the same basic principle of drag to slow descent.

Why was Leonardo interested in designing a parachute?
Leonardo spent years studying flight, gravity, and the movement of air. He was fascinated by how humans might travel through the sky safely. The parachute was part of his broader exploration of aviation, which also included gliders and other flying machines.

Was Leonardo’s parachute the first working parachute in history?
It was one of the earliest documented designs, but practical parachutes were not successfully demonstrated until centuries later. Leonardo’s sketches show that the core idea existed long before technology caught up.

What materials did Leonardo plan to use for his parachute?
He described using linen cloth supported by wooden poles. These were common materials of his time, though they made the structure heavier than what modern fabrics would allow.

Why is Leonardo da Vinci’s parachute important today?
The parachute design highlights Leonardo’s ability to think ahead of his era. It shows his understanding of geometry, physics, and air resistance long before formal aerodynamics existed. Even though he lacked the materials and tools to build it, the idea itself was remarkably advanced.

For more information on Leonardo da Vinci’s parachute invention, please visit:

Leonardo da Vinci – The Invention of the Parachute
Flying Out of This World: Da Vinci’s Parachute