Leonardo da Vinci sketched a pyramidal parachute as a device for slowing a person's descent.
Around 1485, Leonardo described a rigid, pyramid-shaped wooden frame covered with linen. His notes say that, with a structure about 12 braccia wide and 12 braccia deep, a person could jump from a great height without injury. The design relies on air resistance, just as modern parachutes do, although it is much heavier and less flexible.
Leonardo did not record a documented test of the device. In 2000, British adventurer Adrian Nicholas built and tested a full-size replica, reporting that it descended successfully before he cut away from it for safety. Leonardo's sketch is therefore an early parachute concept, not proof that he invented the modern fabric parachute used today.
A common mix-up is calling the drawing a glider. A glider is intended to generate lift for forward flight, while Leonardo's pyramidal design is intended primarily to reduce falling speed.