What type of parachute did Leonardo da Vinci describe in a pyramid-shaped design?

Leonardo da Vinci described a pyramidal parachute in one of his notebooks.

His design consists of a rigid, pyramid-shaped frame covered with linen cloth. Leonardo proposed that a person could descend safely from a height inside the structure, relying on air resistance to slow the fall. The design is generally dated to around 1485 and appears in the Codex Atlanticus.

Leonardo did not build or test the parachute, so its historical status is that of a documented concept rather than a demonstrated invention. Modern experiments with replicas have examined whether the geometry could support a controlled descent, although replica materials and test conditions differ from those Leonardo intended.

The design is not the same as the modern round parachute used by skydivers. Its pyramid form reflects Leonardo’s interest in using simple geometry and enclosed surfaces to control air movement.