Parachute

From Encyclopediak

Parachute, Pair a shoot, shaped like an umbrella, but without the ribs, and usually about 25 ft. in diameter when opened. It has a small circular opening in the center. It is shut and attached to a balloon by cords, so that the aeronaut, when wishing to descend by reason of accident to the balloon or otherwise, pulls certain cords, which let the parachute free, and in its descent it spreads out, allowing him to descend slowly. Its invention is accredited to Sebastian Lenormand 1784. See Balloon.