Topics I Can't Get Enough Of - Inventors Killed By Their Own Inventions

That's what you get for thinkin' that you were smarter than everyone else. I admire your lack of thought or safety procedures in pursuit of your dream. Test TWICE then use ONCE. That's what the dummy is there for.

Franz Reichelt – Parachute Suit

Franz Reichelt (1879 – 1912) was convinced that he could develop a suit that turned into a parachute for aviators. Known as the 'Flying Tailor' for his fateful jump (and other profession), the Austrian-born Frenchman lost his life when, on February 4, 1912, he leaped from the first platform of the Eiffel Tower wearing his design. Though he was supposed to be using a dummy, at the last minute he decided to test the invention himself. Unfortunately for Reichelt and his legacy, the belief that his invention would work turned out to be wishful thinking.

After Reichelt crashed to the ground in front of a crowd of spectators, he was rushed to hospital, even though he was plainly dead. There is a YouTube video of his fatal 187-foot jump that is accompanied by the commentary: "As though he sensed the horrible fate that awaited him, the unfortunate inventor hesitated long before throwing himself into the void."

Unbelievably there is film footage of the deadly stunt. I love you You Tubes. Having this footage makes you immortal Franz. Never forget that you crazy French bastard.

His trepidation is hard to watch especially when you know the outcome already. Kinda COLD for those Parisians measure how far he went into the ground at the end but that is how they roll in that city.



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