For the Australian rock-group by the same name, see: Armen Firman (band)

Armen Firman was an Andalusian-Arab remembered for an attempt at flight in 852 AD. He wrapped himself in a loose cloak stiffened with wooden struts and jumped from a tower in Córdoba, Spain, intending to use the garment as wings on which he could glide. The attempt was unsuccessful, but the garment slowed his fall enough that he only sustained minor injuries, making it the earliest example of a parachute.

References

• Flights of Fancy on Manmade Wings -
• Radio programme from University of Houston

See also

• List of Arab scientists and scholars