How does a parachute work?
A parachute is simply a device made of fabric designed to slow a persons descent through the air sufficient to make a safe landing or stop. The traditional parachutes — often referred to as canopies — were round. Air flowing into and around the parachute created drag, which retarded the jumper’s fall. In the 1950’s it was discovered that not only could parachutes slow descent vertically, but they could also cause the jumper to move laterally. This was done by cutting holes in the back of the canopy so that air could rush out to the rear and produce thrust. With an equal and opposite reaction, the canopy and the jumper would move forward. In the 1960’s aeronautical engineers began developing canopies which were not round, but rather shaped like an aircraft wing or “airfoil”. The parachutes not only slowed descent as the original round parachutes did, but also were able to generate lift. They became known as ram-air parachutes, which are what almost all skydivers use today. A skydiver
