Today’s cinematic Google Doodle honors André-Jacques Garnerin, who was the inventor of the modern frameless parachute. Garnerin’s successful parachute jump occurred 216 years ago today, on October 22, 1797. On that day, Garnerin ascended in a Montgolfier hot air balloon until he was at an elevation of approximately 3,000 feet. Then he cut the rope connecting his balloon and parachute. While the balloon continued its ascent, Garnerin and his silk parachute descended into the middle of a large crowd of onlookers located in Paris’ Parc Monceau. Today, visitors to the park can find an illustrated plaque honoring Garnerin’s historic achievement.
