February 4, 1912. Paris, France. Inventor Franz Reichelt climbed the first platform of the Eiffel Tower wearing a homemade parachute suit he believed would allow him to fly. For years, he had been convinced his design could slow a human fall. French authorities had granted permission for a test, on the condition it be done using a mannequin. Reichelt ignored this. In front of journalists, photographers, and onlookers, he insisted on jumping himself. Witnesses later described him pacing at the ed