Parachutes
A device designed to slow descent through an atmosphere by creating drag or aerodynamic lift.
A parachute is a device designed to slow an object's descent through an atmosphere by creating drag or aerodynamic 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 on Earth, landing spacecraft on other planets, 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.
- Artist
- Coldplay
- Release Year
- 2000 (UK)
- Genre
- Alternative Rock / Britpop
- Key Singles
- 'Yellow', 'Shiver', 'Trouble'
- Production
- Ken Nelson and the band
- Label
- Parlophone
Lore & Background
The concept of the parachute dates back to ancient attempts at flight. In AD 852, 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 was not 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.
In Their Own Story
The rain taps against the windowpane as Chris sits alone in a dimly lit rehearsal room, strumming the opening chords of a new song. The air is thick with the smell of old tea and damp wool. Outside, the London streets are empty, but inside, the melody builds like a rising tide. He closes his eyes, imagining a field of stars stretching endlessly above, feeling both small and infinite. This moment of solitude becomes the seed for an anthem that will soon echo in stadiums around the world, born from the quiet ache of being human.
Reader's Guide
The source article does not provide a guide for using a parachute.
Did You Know?
- The oldest parachute design appears in a manuscript from the 1470s attributed to Francesco di Giorgio Martini.
- Louis-Sébastien Lenormand coined the word 'parachute' in 1785.
- In 1797, André Garnerin made the first descent of a frameless parachute covered in silk.
- Charles Broadwick demonstrated a backpack parachute with a static line in 1907.
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