COVE

While da Vinci is known for designing a simple helicopter, he also made a sketch for a flotation device, better known today as a parachute. He stated "if a man has a tent made of linen of which the apertures [openings] have all been stopped up, and it be twelve braccia [about 23 feet] across and twelve in depth, he will be able to throw himself down from any great height without suffering any injury." The design consisted of sealed linen cloth around the sides of a pyramid with a square base. It differed from modern parachute designs, as these are typically rounded and include a harness. The notebook in which this sketch was included was dated 1483. Like many of his designs, it was likely never tested during his lifetime.

Source and Image Source:
Leonardo Da Vinci's Life. (n.d.). Retrieved May 11, 2019, from www.davincilife.com/davincis-p…

Adrian Nicholas was a British skydiver. As Leonardo da Vinci's design for the parachute was never tested, Nicholas wanted to confirm the theory. Katarina Ollikainen (his girlfriend) constructed a prototype based off of Leonardo da Vinci's sketch, even utilizing only period accurate tools and materials.  The parachute was in the shape of a 24 ft by 24 ft square-based pyramid. The four sides were to be covered in sealed linen. Against the skeptisism from experts, Nicholas attempted the jump from a hot-air balloon at almost 10,000 feet. The only fear was with the landing, with the concern that the 187 pound device would crush him. Because of this, he allowed himself to fall with da Vinci's parachute until he reached about 2000 feet, then cut himself free and deployed a modern parachute for the landing. He commented that the da Vinci device had a smoother ride than modern day parachutes. Also interesting: after being thrown away, the device floated to the ground, only sustaining minor damages on impact. A quote from Nicholas was "It took one of the greatest minds who ever lived to design it, but it took 500 years to find a man with a brain small enough to actually go and fly it."

Sources and Image Source:
Leonardo Da Vinci's Life. (n.d.). Retrieved from www.davincilife.com/davincis-p…
Adrian Nicholas Proves Da Vinci Chute Works. (n.d.). Retrieved from www.dropzone.com/articles/news…...
Orton, D. C. (2004, March 29). Parachute. Retrieved from www.bl.uk/onlinegallery/featur…

After the successful jump by Adrian Nicholas of a parachute based on da Vinci's sketch, the natural next step is a successful landing with the device. Oliver Vietti-Teppa set out to achieve this. His version of the device was of the same four triangular-sided pyramid shape. Each side was an equilateral triangle that was about 23 feet long. It also did not have a wooden frame, as he was worried about the complications from the extra weight. He utilized a modern fabric to improve upon the Nicholas version. He began in a helicopter hovering over 2000 feet in the air. He wore a modern chute as a back-up, but he was able to land safely without it. He was credited as the first successful landing of a parachute mimicking da Vinci's design.

Sources and Image Source:
Parachute - by Leonardo Da Vinci. (n.d.). Retrieved from www.leonardodavinci.net/parach…
Simpson, A. (2008, April 28). Leonardo da Vinci parachute from 1485 finally has successful landing. Retrieved from www.telegraph.co.uk/news/19050…...