Leonardo da Vinci sketched a parachute with a large pyramid-shaped canopy.
The drawing appears in the Codex Atlanticus, where Leonardo proposed a linen canopy supported by wooden poles. His notes stated that a person could descend safely from a great height with such a structure, provided the canopy was appropriately sized.
Leonardo’s parachute was not a modern round parachute. Its rigid, pyramid-like form reflects his effort to create a stable air-catching surface using materials available in the Renaissance. The design shows that he understood air resistance could slow a falling body.
For centuries, the sketch remained an important historical example rather than a tested device. In 2000, British skydiver Adrian Nichols built and tested a replica based on Leonardo’s design, descending successfully before using a modern parachute for the final landing. The experiment supported the practicality of the concept while also showing the safety limits of historical materials and equipment.