The History of Parachuting and its Emergence as a Recreational Activity

Throughout history, mankind has been fascinated with aviation, and the ability of animals and machines alike to fly. Perhaps the Achilles heel of our race is our need for adventure, and our thirst for danger. With the development of the parachute initially in China during the 11th century, man ventured onto the once new and unexplored volar plateau, where we looked to accomplish what some hold as our greatest goal that has not yet been achieved, to fly.
While there is some stipulation as to the first actual appearance of the parachute or a device similar to it, it has now been generally accepted that some time during the 11th century in China the parachute was used as an entertainment tool in a circus. While amusing children and adults alike, these shows also bestowed a sense of awe within the audience. A dream once thought unimaginable was fulfilled as man took to the sky, and that was just the beginning of a journey that is still continuing today.
The first written a...