Franz Reichelt—AKA “The Flying Tailor”—was an Austrian-born tailor living in France during the early 1900s, and is credited with pioneering an entirely wearable parachute suit that looked less like a ...

In 1912, Parisian tailor Franz Reichelt believed he’d created the first wearable parachute. Convinced his design would revolutionize aviation safety, he climbed the Eiffel Tower wearing his silk ...

From the electric tricycle to parachute coat, these are some of the most poorly received devices developed around the globe.

Paris, France. Franz Reichelt wearing the parachute that he designed and invented before ascending the Eiffel Tower. Reichelt stands on a platform high up on the tower, preparing to jump. He hovers on ...