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Skydiving is a thrilling sport that has a rich and adventurous history. Its roots can be traced back to 1100 when a Chinese emperor, in an attempt to escape his enemies, strapped large fabrics to his body to slow his fall. The success of this daring leap laid the foundation for parachute development.
The actual concept of skydiving as we know it today originated in the late 18th century when Frenchman André-Jacques Garnerin made successful jumps using a canvas canopy and a small basket beneath a hot air balloon. His invention used a vent at the top of the parachute to let air out, stabilizing the descent, an idea still used in modern parachute design.
The sport saw significant evolution during World War I and II, where parachutes were used for sending supplies and deploying soldiers. This wartime application led to the invention of freefall. Leslie Irvin, an American stuntman, made the first premeditated freefall jump in 1919, leading to the development of the static line parachute deployment system.
The 1960s marked the birth of modern skydiving. Jacques Istel, often referred to as the 'father of modern skydiving,' established the first parachuting school in the USA and drafted the first Parachute Training Manual, which is still a basis for parachute instruction today. The era also saw the development of the ram-air parachute, which improved maneuverability and landing safety.
The late 20th century saw skydiving diversify into various disciplines, including freeflying, wingsuit flying, and skysurfing, while advances in technology have improved safety and allowed jumps from higher altitudes. Today, skydiving is not just a sport but also an exciting recreational activity and a means of personal achievement. As we continue to push the boundaries of human flight, skydiving will no doubt remain at the forefront of aerial adventure.