Frantz Reichelt
France- Franz Reichelt: The Flying Tailor
- Birth and Early Life
- The Parachute-Cloak
- Failed Attempts and the Fatal Jump
- Tragic Outcome
- Aftermath
Franz Reichelt: The Flying Tailor
Franz Reichelt, an Austrian-born French tailor, became known as "The Flying Tailor" after inventing a device he called the "parachute-cloak" and jumping with it from the Eiffel Tower.
Birth and Early Life
Franz Reichelt was born in Vienna in 1879. He moved to Paris in 1898 and became a French citizen in 1909, taking the name François.
The Parachute-Cloak
In 1910, Reichelt became obsessed with designing a "parachute-cloak" that would be more portable and efficient than the bulky parachutes used by aviators. His design featured an umbrella-like canopy, a frame of rods, and a small amount of rubber.
Failed Attempts and the Fatal Jump
In 1911, Reichelt failed in his attempts to make the parachute-cloak work with dummies, but he was determined to prove its value by jumping from the Eiffel Tower. On February 4, 1912, he ascended the tower and, despite warnings from friends and officials, jumped with his parachute-cloak.
Tragic Outcome
Reichelt's parachute failed to open properly, and he plummeted 60 meters (200 feet) to the frozen ground below. He was pronounced dead upon arrival at the hospital.
Aftermath
Reichelt's death became a cautionary tale about the dangers of excessive ambition and the need for thorough testing before conducting dangerous experiments. His story was widely reported in newspapers, and photographs of his fatal jump were published around the world.
