The Intrepid, Ill-Fated Parachutist

Written by Alan Bellows on 04 January 2006

On February 4th 1912, an Austrian tailor named Franz Reichelt was at the Eiffel Tower in Paris in order to test his new overcoat-parachute design. He planned to leap from the top of the 986 foot tower, at that time the tallest man-made structure in the world. The prototype was designed to float its wearer gently to the ground.

At the top of the tower, he stood on a stool at the edge of the balcony, fidgeting with the awkward contraption and looking at the ground far below as he gathered the courage to jump. After many long seconds, he hopped over the rail, and plummeted to the earth like a stone.

The entire grim event was captured as a silent moving-picture for posterity, ending with police officers measuring the dent his impact left in the lawn.

Article on WFMU (includes link to the video)

Found on Cynical-C

Alan Bellows is the founder, designer, and managing editor of DamnInteresting.com, and he is perpetually behind schedule.


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#1 ExistenzKampf 04 January 2006 at 01:20 pm

That video is priceless.

…Potential nominee for the Darwin Awards?

#2 Alan Bellows 04 January 2006 at 01:23 pm

ExistenzKampf said: “…Potential nominee for the Darwin Awards?”

It seems they’re already on top of it.

#3 Tapetum 05 January 2006 at 12:09 am

Oops!

This is why test dummies were invented.

#4 Arcangel 05 January 2006 at 01:19 am

Tapetum said: “Oops!

This is why test dummies were invented.”

I think Franz Reichelt fitted very nicely into this category.

#5 Gini 05 January 2006 at 02:10 am

Ohhh, my. I found myself covering my face and saying “DON’T DO IT!” while watching this video clip.
Poor sap.

#6 MeasureMan 05 January 2006 at 03:35 am

He should have started with the roof of a single story home first, maybe he would have only broke a leg.

#7 Marius 05 January 2006 at 03:44 am

France needs more men like that. ;-)

#8 Matter 05 January 2006 at 05:42 am

I don’t get it, I mean the contraption that was supposed to slow his descent fitted as loosely as a jacket a few Xs too large… And he was expecting that to save his life???
I might as well sew a jacket made of toiletpaper and go test it out on the local shooting-range as bullet-proof armour.
Poor man.

#9 ballaerina 05 January 2006 at 07:43 am

I bet the way down sucked as he realized not only was his invention dysfunctional, but also that he was going to die.

#10 HallyD 05 January 2006 at 01:20 pm

He realized. I read in a Paris guidebook that according to the autopsy, ‘Birdman’ Reisfeldt died of a heart attack before even touching the ground.

#11 RandomAction 05 January 2006 at 08:21 pm

I always use a large bag of potatoes when performing such experiments. Most of my initial work is carried out secretly of course, so no one knows the effort involved in getting a success, but then I am not French. The French? Well they despise the potato. Which explains not a thing.

#12 Oax 05 January 2006 at 09:11 pm

I watched the film backward…he’s fine now

#13 Scrappy 06 January 2006 at 08:18 pm

What a da, kinda like being a kid and jumping off a second story roof… later saying I should’ve had a bed sheet…hahahha

#14 Abu Ibrahim 07 January 2006 at 07:35 pm

The story reminds me about ‘Lawn Chair Larry’ article:

http://darwinawards.com/stupid/stupid1998-11.html

Strangely, someone is making business out of this idea:
http://www.clusterballoon.org/

#15 guthix 09 January 2006 at 01:46 pm

wouldnt it have been safer for him to take a parachute aswell just incase his big coat didnt work

#16 Tink 01 October 2006 at 02:31 am

Gini said: “Ohhh, my. I found myself covering my face and saying “DON’T DO IT!” while watching this video clip.

Poor sap.”

Watched the video, and couldn’t help but notice the guys hesitation.
I’m thinking the hefty fellow behind him, obviously encouraging him to” go on and get with it” had twenty to one odds on him not making it.
Poor sap indeed! Can you say d-u-m-b-a-s-s? LOL

#17 Stephen 03 February 2007 at 03:32 pm

…an Austrian tailor named Franz Reichelt was at the Eiffel Tower…

The French jokes would work better if Franz was, indeed, French.

#18 dentarthurdent 09 April 2008 at 10:04 am

…At the top of the tower…
Well, on this video, he actually jumps from the 1st floor. Alan, next time you’re in Paris, I’ll treat you to the “Altitude 95″ restaurant up there. That’s a promise!

#19 RoflBeard 22 January 2010 at 07:31 am

In true darwin style, this man has done us justice by removing himself from the gene pool.
What was he thinking!!!???

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The Intrepid, Ill-Fated Parachutist