Editing Parachute (section)

{{short description|Device used to slow the motion of an object through an atmosphere}}
{{pp-vandalism|small=yes}}
{{about|the device|sports and other activities involving a parachute|Parachuting}}
{{for|the political term|parachute candidate}}
[[File:Bangladesh Air Force (BAF) paratroopers jump from a U.S. Air Force C-130 Hercules aircraft over Bangladesh during exercise Cope South 14 Nov. 10, 2013 131110-F-SI013-240.jpg|thumb|upright=1.35|Paratroopers deploying their parachutes during an exercise]]

A '''parachute''' is a device designed to slow an object's descent through an [[atmosphere]] by creating [[Drag (physics)|drag]] or aerodynamic [[Lift (force)|lift]]. It is primarily used to safely support people exiting aircraft at height, but also serves various purposes like slowing cargo, aiding in space capsule recovery, and stabilizing vehicles or objects. Modern parachutes are typically made from durable fabrics like [[nylon]] and come in various shapes, such as dome-shaped, rectangular, and inverted domes, depending on their specific function.

The concept of the parachute dates back to ancient attempts at flight. In 852 AD, [[Armen Firman]], in [[Córdoba, Spain]], made the first recorded jump with a large cloak to slow his fall. Renaissance figures like [[Francesco di Giorgio Martini]] and [[Leonardo da Vinci]] later sketched designs resembling modern parachutes, but it wasn’t until the 18th century that the first successful jumps occurred. French [[Louis-Sébastien Lenormand]] made the first public jump in 1783, and he coined the term "parachute" in 1785. In the following years, key advancements were made by figures like [[André Garnerin]], with parachutes becoming lighter, more reliable, and easier to deploy.

By the time of [[World War I]], parachutes had become essential for aviators, and significant improvements were made to their designs, including the introduction of the backpack-style parachute by [[Charles Broadwick]] and [[Gleb Kotelnikov]]'s knapsack parachute. After [[World War II]], parachuting became a popular sport, and new materials like nylon replaced silk. Today, parachutes are used in military, recreational, and emergency situations, continuing to evolve with advances in technology and design.