February 25, 2004
*The French Were Ahead of Their Time
The parachute was invented more than 100 years* before the airplane.
Frenchman Louis Lenormand designed one in 1783 to save people caught in burning buildings.
* There is some evidence that shows the ancient Chinese actually invented one, too.
Posted by Jennifer at February 25, 2004 10:25 AMTweet
Comments
I recall seeing drawings by Leonardo da Vinci of a parachute. They may predate Lenormand by a few years.
Posted by: Tuning Spork at February 26, 2004 12:01 AMI tout the very special gift the French possess for true innovation constantly:
-The Maginot Line.
-Invention of the trebuchet to serve hot meals to men at the rear of the column, where most of the French soldiers dwell.
-On his way to the guillotine Louie XIV invented Crab Louie Salad. He kept the recipe in his head, so it remained undiscovered for many years.
Jew