Who used the first parachute to descend from a height?
First PARACHUTE.
The first PARACHUTE descent by an aeronaut was made over the Parc Monceau, Paris on 22 October 1797 by Andre-Jacques Garnerin, who was released from a balloon at the height of 2,230 ft. Garnerin rode in a gondola fixed to the lines of the 23 ft diameter parachute, which was supported by a rigid pole and had its 32 white canvas gores folded like a closed umbrella. Above the parachute his brother rode in another gondola, suspended beneath the balloon, and cut the holding rope with a knife to precipitate descent. Since there was no vent in the apex of the parachute, Garnerin came down to earth with the most violent oscillations, earning the added distinction of becoming the first man ever to suffer from airsickness. For his second jump he had a hold made in the top of the canvas hemisphere.
In Britain the first descent was made by Garnerin from a height of 3,000 ft, over London on 21 September 1802. He landed near St Pancras Church and was immediately seized by a powerful fit of vomiting, having injudiciously abandoned the centre vent for this his fifth parachute `jump’.
The first successful parachute descent by an English aeronaut was performed by John Hampton over Cheltenham on 3 October 1838. The authorities, mindful of a parachute fatality that had occurred the previous year, made every effort to prevent Hampton’s venture, but had no legal means of restraining him.
