Table of Contents
Key Takeaways
Skydiving’s story spans nearly a thousand years, from ancient parachute sketches in China and Leonardo da Vinci’s 15th-century designs to today’s advanced gear and training. Over centuries, innovations like the ripcord, square parachute, and tandem system transformed parachuting from survival to sport. Modern skydiving continues to evolve with new technology, but its spirit of courage, curiosity, and freedom remains unchanged.
A mix of courage, technology, and freedom – skydiving is one of the most intriguing things you can do on Earth. But have you wondered where it all began? Who was the first ever person to skydive? Who invented the parachute, and why?
The history of skydiving is an incredible journey that stretches back nearly a thousand years. From the earliest parachute sketches to today’s advanced skydiving equipment, the evolution of human flight tells a story of curiosity, guts, and extraordinary innovation.
In this article, we’ll walk through the skydiving history timeline – exploring the first parachute concepts, early balloon jumps, and how skydiving became the world-renowned sport it is today.
The origin of skydiving dates back long before airplanes or wind tunnels – to a time when humans simply dreamed of flight.
One of the earliest recorded ideas for a parachute comes from ancient China, where drawings and legends describe people using large, umbrella-like devices to slow their falls from tall structures. These early concepts planted the seed for what would become skydiving centuries later.
The famous inventor and artist Leonardo da Vinci sketched one of the first documented parachute designs in 1495 – a pyramid-shaped canopy made of linen and supported by a wooden frame. Although da Vinci never tested his invention, modern recreations have proven it would have actually worked! His vision marked a pivotal moment in skydiving history, demonstrating the human desire to conquer gravity.
The first successful parachute jump from a balloon was made by Frenchman Andre-Jacques Garnerin in 1797. Leaping from nearly 3,000 feet above Paris, Garnerin descended using a silk parachute without a rigid frame – a design that would shape parachuting for centuries to come.
Just two years later, Garnerin’s wife – Jeanne-Genevieve Labrosse – became the first woman to make a parachute descent. She later patented an improved parachute design and inspired generations of women to take to the skies. Even today, women continue to make up a growing percentage of the sport – supported by organizations like Sisters in Skydiving (SIS), which foster mentorship and inclusion in skydiving communities.
While the 18th and 19th centuries gave birth to parachuting, the 20th century transformed it into modern skydiving.
Depending on how you define “skydive”, the first skydive in history is credited to either Albert Berry or Grant Morton, who both jumped from powered airplanes around 1911. These jumps were revolutionary – marking the transition from static balloon descents to freefall from moving aircraft.
By World War I, parachutes became a critical safety tool for pilots. Italian forces conducted the first military parachute jump, paving the way for large-scale airborne operations in the decades that followed.
In 1919, Leslie Irvin invented the ripcord, giving jumpers control over when to deploy their parachute – and thus, the freedom to experience freefall for the first time! This innovation truly set skydiving apart from just parachuting and became a cornerstone of the sport.
During World War II, parachuting reached new importance. Thousands of paratroopers were deployed behind enemy lines, demonstrating the effectiveness, and necessity, of reliable parachutes. Many veterans returned home after the war with parachuting experience and a desire to keep jumping, giving rise to recreational skydiving.
To prompt safety and organization, the United States Parachute Association (USPA) was founded in 1946. This marked a new era of standardization and education in the sport.
French-born skydiver Jacques-André Istel helped design the first parachutes intended purely for sport. People realized jumping could be done for fun – not just for tact!
By 1959, Jumptown in Orange, Massachusetts, became the first civilian skydiving center in the U.S., paving the way for dropzones like Skydive Danielson to exist today!
Another key innovation was the creation of the first vertical wind tunnel in 1964, which made it possible to simulate freefall on the ground. This laid the groundwork for today’s advanced indoor skydiving facilities and training programs.
In the 1970s, round parachutes gave way to square (ram-air) parachutes, which offered improved control, softer landings, and the ability to swoop and steer. Group formations also became popular during this decade, forever changing the skydiving history timeline.
The 1980s were a defining decade in the evolution of skydiving, filled with groundbreaking safety systems and new training techniques.
Invented by Bill Booth, the 3-ring release system revolutionized skydiving gear by making it easy to quickly cut away a malfunctioning main parachute. This simple, reliable design remains in use worldwide today.
The USPA approved the Accelerated Freefall (AFF) program, allowing students to experience true freefall on their very first jump – under the direct supervision of certified instructors. This changed the skydiving learning process forever.
Inventor Ted Strong developed the tandem skydiving system in 1983, allowing beginners to jump while harnessed to an instructor. This innovation made skydiving accessible to nearly everyone – and is still how most first-timers experience the sport today.
The introduction of AADs brought another leap in safety. These devices automatically deploy the reserve parachute if a jumper hasn’t opened theirs by a certain altitude and speed – a lifesaving advancement that’s now standard in every tandem rig.
In recent decades, technology and raw passion have continued to elevate the sport.
The invention of FlySight brought GPS technology into skydiving, giving canopy pilots precise flight data to analyze their performance and improve accuracy.
By 2017, impact-rated helmets became standard in the industry, providing greater protection while maintaining comfort and visibility.
Today, skydivers continue to push boundaries with cutting-edge wingsuits, high-performance canopies, and innovative gear such as the Mutant harness system for canopy pilots. Even with all these advancements, one thing remains true: the learning never stops. Skydiving is a sport of progression – a blend of skill, technology, and heart.
After exploring the long and fascinating history of skydiving, one question remains: Why is skydiving so addictive? Skydiving delivers a rush unlike anything else – the perfect mix of adrenaline, peace, and true freedom. The moment you step out of the plane, all worries vanish, replaced by pure presence and joy.
From da Vinci’s sketches to high-tech parachutes, the skydiving history timeline shows just how far we’ve come and how limitless the future remains. Each leap forward in design, safety, and training has made skydiving more accessible and exhilarating than ever. At Skydive Danielson, we honor that legacy every day by offering world-class tandem skydiving experiences, top notch skydiving training, and a welcoming community of experienced jumpers.
Ready to step to the door at 14,000 feet and play your part in a story that began almost a thousand years ago? Book your jump with us today! Blue skies!