The RNZAF Museum in Christchurch NZ has a book with an amazing series of photos of a Captain Clive Collett RFC (a Kiwi though) who during WW I trialled a parachute stowed in a tin container below the aircraft fuselage. The pilot wore the harness to which was attached what looked like a stout woven wire, which in turn was draped over the side of the aircraft and into the centre of the tin.
From what I could make out, the parachute was conical, but had no hole in the top to let the air escape. It was therefore very unstable and some photos show Collett at the end of some horrendous swings. I understand he broke his shoulder (?) landing off one of these swings and that was the end of these trials.
The photos looked like stills from a movie and the place was Farnborough, but I can't remember the date. Collett was killed about 1917, so before then. You could try
http://www.afw.co.nz and ask for Ms Therese Provan if you wanted to find out more.
Cheers
PS Did some more checking. Collett was the first - go here to read more:
http://www.nzfpm.co.nz/aces/collett.htm