It was during the time of the first hot air balloons. A man named Andre-Jacques GARNERIN lived in France and made his living traveling around the countryside doing exhibitions with various fairs. Everyone in his family was involved with his love for aviation, especially his wife Genevieve LABROSSE, and his niece, Elisa, who were the first two women to jump. Genevieve jumped in 1798 and Elisa followed her soon thereafter. Elisa went on to make forty jumps between 1815 and 1836.