Conical Parachute

• The conical parachute is one of the earliest forms of parachutes. Designed by Leonardo da Vinci, the conical parachute debuted in Italy during the 1470s. The conical parachute was originally designed for fire safety uses, although the only evidence of the parachute is sketches from a notebook belonging to da Vinci.
  
  

Pyramid Parachute

• Leonardo da Vinci designed a second parachute with a square frame on the bottom leading up to a point -- the shape of a pyramid. In approximately 1483, Da Vinci sketched this parachute with the text, "If a man is provided with a length of gummed linen cloth with a length of 12 yards on each side and 12 yards high, he can jump from any great height whatsoever without injury." In 1617, Fauste Veranzio built the pyramid parachute and completed a jump from a Venice tower.
  
  

Pack-style Parachute

• The pack-style parachute was the first parachute design that had the parachute contained in a casing. In 1890, Paul Letteman and Kathchen Paulus developed the first parachute contained in a knapsack. Their design contained an inflatable primary and secondary parachute. In 1911, Captain Albert Berry completed the first jump with a pack-style parachute.
  
  

Round Parachute

• Round parachutes are a basic form of parachute and common for medical and military uses. They are round in shape, originally with flat tops. Later designs had a safer and more effective conical shape. Round parachutes can be either steerable or nonsteerable. Steering is achieved through holes in the edges of the parachute.
  
  

Square Parachute

• Today, square parachutes are the most common type of parachute used in skydiving sports. The square design helps reduce the spinning effect on the body caused by round parachutes. Square parachutes also reduce the rate of descent, which results in a lower risk of injury.
  
  

Ram-air Parachute

• Ram-air parachutes are self-inflating parachute types whose design increases the ability to control speed and direction. The rectangular design helps to reduce the tension when inflated and decreases the rate of descent. The ram-air parachute has a high level of maneuverability, but components are easily damaged when deployed at high speeds.