Now I think of it there was an attempt to get Monkeys to use Parachutes.
They were testing a new design and didn't want to risk it on a human so they used a chimp. It was just as well they did because 50ft from the ground the canopy collapsed and the thing dropped to the ground killing the chimp. They tried again with a fresh chimp and the exact same thing happened.
On the 3rd attempt they were using binoculars and realized that as the chimp approached the group it got ground rush (the reason why parachutists don't look down!). The normal human reaction to seeing the ground approaching at a threatening rate is to bring ones knees up to ones chest, which is a sure way to break both legs.
Chimpanzees don't lift their knees up to their chest. They attempt to climb upwards away from 'danger'. They start to go up the rigging lines to the top of the parachute. By putting their entire weight on a couple of lines on one side they make the parachute collapse....
theRolfe
[This message has been edited by theRolfe2 (edited 14 June 2001).]