| Skydiving is a well loved sport, especially for the | | | | With the evolution of the airplane, the more did |
| extreme goers out there. However, it may seem that | | | | skydiving evolved and became even more daring. |
| skydiving is something new as a sport, but in reality, it | | | | Now, daredevils had the opportunity to parachute from |
| has a very rich and colourful history that can be very | | | | a fast-moving mechanical device, which caused even |
| interesting to know, whether you are a fan of the | | | | more spectacular and breathtaking skydiving routines. |
| sport or simply curious about it. | | | | The first woman to ever jump off from an airplane is |
| Milestones And More | | | | Tiny Broadwick. She did this daring stunt back in 1913. |
| Although most of skydiving milestones happened | | | | Additionally, she is also the first woman to do a free |
| during the 20th century, its history actually goes back | | | | fall jump from an airplane, which she did in 1914. |
| further more. Originally, parachuting started around | | | | Skydiving: It’s Official! |
| the 1100s in China, which is about a thousand years | | | | One interesting fact about skydiving is that it wasn’t |
| ago. Although there were no airplanes during that time, | | | | called skydiving before. The term skydiving was only |
| people would find natural formations in which they can | | | | coined in the mid-1950’s and used for Raymond |
| leap off and float safely towards the ground below. | | | | Young. This was the first time when it was actually |
| Additionally, Da Vinci actually made a design that | | | | declared as skydiving. Before it was termed as such, |
| shows a wooden frame parachute that has a pyramid | | | | "skydiving" was simply called as "parachuting" by |
| shape. This is just one of the proofs that parachuting is | | | | many. |
| actually way older than most people think. | | | | From Novelty To Sport |
| Skydiving Sport History | | | | Before, skydiving was considered to be more of a |
| If you’ll be talking about the sport of skydiving, this | | | | novelty act than a sport. It was only during the period |
| matter would have a much recent history in the | | | | after World War II that this art became an actual sport |
| making. The very first person who did this daring act | | | | that a lot of people could engage in, just like basketball. |
| was Jacques Garnerin. He didn’t jump from an | | | | This transition was due to the fact that skydiving and |
| airplane though. What he did was jump off from | | | | parachuting was commonly done as a tactical move |
| balloons, around late 18th century. He also performed | | | | by many countries throughout the war. |
| fanciful displays when he did so. After he executed his | | | | In fact, pilots during World War I were even told to |
| jumps, he would then make use of a parachute to | | | | crash their planes into enemy territory rather than |
| have a safe landing. | | | | bailing out and were just given parachutes for survival. |
| When Women Came In | | | | Ever since the 1st successful bailout in 1922 of an |
| Women had a part in skydiving history too. However, it | | | | airplane, parachuting became a popular method of |
| was not until the 19th century that they started having | | | | bailing out for pilots. |
| participation in the sport. One of the most famous | | | | After the Second World War, it became a |
| women in skydiving history is Kathe Paulus. She | | | | mainstream hobby for many. This is because the |
| parachuted in Germany during the end of the 19th | | | | soldiers who came back enjoyed this activity and |
| century and became very well known for this skill of | | | | even have the courage to do a freefall. They held |
| hers. | | | | some competitions which then became a popular sport |
| Airplane Generation | | | | for civilians too. It was in 1957 that the first skydiving |
| Ever since the airplane was invented, the skydiving | | | | schools appeared and up until now, more people are |
| history became even more colourful than ever. Indeed, | | | | having the courage to face this extreme sport. |
| it took a great leap of faith, literally and metaphorically! | | | | |