What was Franz Reichelt known for?

I want to try the experiment myself and without trickery, as I intend to prove the worth of my invention.

So goes the statement of Franz Reichelt when he was asked if he was going to use a safety rope to conduct his daredevil activity in Paris on February 4, 1912.

Also known as “Flying Tailor”, Franz Reichelt, an Austrian-born French inventor, tragically met his demise in 1912 when he attempted to test a wearable parachute suit by jumping from the Eiffel Tower. His ill-fated experiment serves as a cautionary tale in the field of invention and highlights the importance of safety and thorough testing.

But who was Franz Reichelt? What was his early life like? And why did he embark on such a suicidal stunt?

In the article below, World History Edu explores the life and the infamous death jump of Franz Reichelt.

Franz Reichelt was born on October 16, 1879, in Wegstädtl, Austria-Hungary (now part of the Czech Republic). He later moved to France and became a naturalized French citizen.

He was an inventor and tailor by trade. He developed a design for a wearable parachute suit, which he believed could allow individuals to jump from great heights and land safely.

On February 4, 1912, Reichelt conducted a public demonstration of his parachute suit from the Eiffel Tower in Paris. The exact time of his jump was around 8:24 a.m.

Despite concerns from authorities and experts about the suit’s effectiveness, the French inventor was determined to prove its capabilities.

During the demonstration, the tailor-turned-daredevil jumped from a height of approximately 57 meters (187 feet). Unfortunately, his parachute suit failed to function properly, and he tragically fell to his death. The entire incident was captured on film and received significant media attention.

Franz Reichelt’s ill-fated jump earned him posthumous fame and notoriety. His failed experiment served as a cautionary tale about the importance of thorough testing and safety measures in the field of invention and engineering.

Answers to popular questions about Franz Reichelt

Did anyone try to dissuade him from jumping?

In the days leading up to his daredevilry, Reichelt was given several warnings, mostly from the authorities. Despite those concerns raised, he still proceeded to jump from the Eiffel Tower. He had an unshakable trust in his invention to provide him a safe landing.

In the months leading up to his jump, it’s said that he submitted his design to a French aeronautic organization; however, the designs were quickly rejected, and the French inventor was warned not to proceed with the experiment personally. Researchers at the institution warned him that the canopy he used was too weak and as such might not be able to hold his weight in air. He then proceeded to carry out test experiments using dummies, of which many failed.

It turns out that he deceived the authorities (i.e. the Parisian Prefecture of Police) into believing that he would conduct the experiment with dummies. However, on the faithful day, the French daredevil decided to jump personally off the iconic iron tower.

And even in the minutes leading up to his jump, his friends tried to dissuade him from jumping or even delaying the jump as the winds in the area had gained some momentum.

He also had so much confidence in his designs that quickly rejected suggestions by journalists for the use of a safety rope or taking some other kind of precaution.

At what height of the tower did he make the jump?

The French inventor made the jump off the first deck of the Eiffel Tower. What this means is that he made the jump from a little bit more than 187 ft (57 meters) above the ground.

What kind of parachute did he design?

Franz Reichelt designed a wearable parachute suit, also known as a “parachute coat.” The exact details of the design are limited, but the suit was intended to be worn by individuals, allowing them to jump from heights and land safely with the assistance of the parachute integrated into the garment. The suit featured fabric panels that would deploy as a parachute when activated.

Why did he invent the parachute?

Franz Reichelt is best known for his invention of a wearable parachute suit, which he called the “parachute coat.” The purpose of this invention was to provide individuals with a means to safely descend from heights, including offer an escape for pilots that wanted to leave their aircraft in mid-air. The parachute was integrated into the coat, allowing the wearer to deploy it when needed.

It must also be noted that Reichelt was most likely inspired by the mouthwatering offer of a prize of 10,000 francs by French military officer to anyone that could come up with a safety parachute for aviators.

While his invention did not achieve the desired outcome, Reichelt’s attempt and subsequent tragedy drew attention to the importance of thorough testing and safety in the field of invention.

From whom did Reichelt likely take his inspiration?

Undoubtedly, the reckless French inventor took some bit of inspiration from French inventors Jean-Pierre Blanchard (1753 – 1809) and Louis-Sébastien Lenormand (1757 – 1837). The latter etched his name into history as the first person to successfully conduct a parachute jump. Lenormand attained the feat by jumping from the tower of the Montpellier observatory on December 26, 1783. On the other hand, Blanchard was best known as one of the first pioneers of gas balloon flight as well as the first to cross the English Channel with a gas balloon.

How was Franz Reichelt’s invention received by the public and authorities before his fatal jump?

Before his fatal jump, Reichelt’s invention of the wearable parachute suit received mixed reactions from the public and authorities.

The concept of a wearable parachute suit intrigued the public, as it seemed like an innovative and potentially revolutionary invention. The idea of being able to jump from heights and safely land without the need for traditional parachutes generated curiosity and interest.

While there was some public fascination, authorities and experts expressed skepticism and concern about the feasibility and safety of Reichelt’s invention. They warned him against attempting the jump, citing doubts about the suit’s functionality and effectiveness.

Reichelt’s parachute suit did not receive official support or endorsement from relevant authorities or established parachute experts. Their reservations were based on the belief that the suit’s design and construction were insufficient for safe deployment and descent.

Franz Reichelt actively promoted his invention, believing it to be a groundbreaking achievement. He sought attention from the media and publicized his intentions to test the parachute suit from the Eiffel Tower, generating both curiosity and criticism.

How did Franz Reichelt die?

Franz Reichelt died in a tragic accident while attempting to test his wearable parachute suit on February 4, 1912. He conducted the test from the first platform of the Eiffel Tower in Paris.

He fell straight down and tragically died upon impact with the ground. Autopsy revealed that both his leg and arm got crushed, and his skull and spine sustained a huge fracture, leading to bleeding from his ears, nose and mouth.

Footage from the scene showed the almost 16-centimeter crater left by his impact on the ground.

The entire incident was captured on film and serves as a stark reminder of the risks associated with unproven inventions and the importance of thorough testing and safety measures.

Did Franz Reichelt have any prior experience or qualifications in the field of parachutes or aeronautics?

No. the Austro-Hungarian-born did not have prior experience or qualifications in the field of parachutes or aeronautics. He was primarily a tailor by trade and not an expert in the engineering or design of parachutes or related technologies.

His invention of the wearable parachute suit was a personal endeavor, and he developed it based on his own ideas and understanding. Reichelt’s lack of expertise, rigorous testing, and knowledge in the field likely contributed to the failure of his parachute suit during the ill-fated test jump.

What impact did Franz Reichelt’s failed experiment have on the field of invention and engineering?

There are so many lessons that can be learned from Reichelt’s tragic experiment.

First, his ill-fated jump became a cautionary tale, emphasizing the importance of thorough testing, safety precautions, and risk assessment in the realm of invention. It serves as a reminder that unproven inventions should be subjected to rigorous evaluation and validation before risking human lives.

Also, the tragic incident prompted greater scrutiny and emphasis on safety standards in the design and testing of new inventions. It highlighted the need for comprehensive research, feasibility studies, and stringent safety measures to prevent similar accidents and ensure the well-being of individuals involved.

Reichelt’s experiment underscored the significance of iterative design and prototyping, encouraging inventors and engineers to refine their concepts through successive testing and improvement cycles. It emphasized the value of learning from failures and using them as stepping stones toward better solutions.

Are there any surviving records or footage of Franz Reichelt’s ill-fated jump?

Yes, there is surviving footage of Franz Reichelt’s ill-fated jump from the Eiffel Tower. The entire incident was captured on film by a newsreel camera operator who was present at the scene. The footage shows Reichelt’s preparations, his ascent to the platform, and ultimately, his tragic fall when the parachute suit failed to deploy correctly.

The film is often included in documentaries and historical accounts that discuss Reichelt’s experiment and its consequences. The existence of this footage has provided a visual record of the event, allowing future generations to witness the ill-fated jump and its impact.

Has there been any further research or development based on Reichelt’s parachute suit concept?

Franz Reichelt’s parachute suit concept did not form the basis for further research or development in the field of parachute technology. After his tragic death and the failure of his parachute suit during the 1912 jump from the Eiffel Tower, his invention was not pursued or replicated by other inventors or engineers.

Parachute technology continued to evolve independently of Reichelt’s concept, with advancements made in design, materials, and deployment mechanisms. Modern parachutes used in various applications, such as skydiving, military operations, and emergency egress systems, are based on different designs and principles than Reichelt’s parachute suit.

While Reichelt’s ill-fated experiment contributed to the understanding of the challenges involved in parachute design and testing, it did not directly lead to further development or innovation in the field. Instead, parachute technology has progressed through the dedicated efforts of researchers, engineers, and experts who have focused on enhancing safety, performance, and reliability in parachute systems.

Since Reichelt has anyone tried to jump off the Eiffel Tower?

The tragic experiment of Reichelt in 1912 caused Parisian authorities to be very careful when granting permission for jumps off the Eiffel Tower, including those that even dummy drops.

There have been a number of successful sanctioned stunt jumps off the iconic tower, including one in 1985 by a stuntman for the spy film “A View to a Kill”. Directed by English filmmaker John Glen, the film starred Roger Moore, Grace Jones, and Tanya Roberts.

The second person to die from a jump off the tower was a Norwegian man. The incident occurred in 2005.

Did you know…?

• Franz Reichelt was born in what is today Štětí, Czech Republic but would later move to Paris, France when he was around 20 years old. About a decade later he became a French citizen, taking the name François, which is the French name of Franz.
• He never got married.
• When Franz Reichelt embarked on developing his parachute suit, there were no practical parachute solutions for airplane use. However, it is worth noting that around the same time, Gleb Kotelnikov had already applied for a patent for a packable parachute. This highlights that there were separate efforts in parachute development occurring alongside Reichelt’s pursuit, and Kotelnikov’s invention represented a significant step forward in the advancement of parachute technology.

Franz Reichelt: Quick Facts

Born: October 16, 1878

Place of birth: Wegstädtl, Kingdom of Bohemia, Austria-Hungary (today Štětí, Czech Republic)

Died: 4 February 1912

Place of death: Paris, France

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