It's possible that it used to be use for parachute but has been phased out by another technology. But the outdoor people kept on using it as a utility nylon cord. Apparently you can trace back the manufacturer by checking one of the seven inner strands that have a distinct color and some coding. I know some manufacturers such as Rothco make mil-spec 550lb paracord but they are replica, as seen there:

https://www.sealsactiongear.com/catalog/store/comersus_viewItem.asp?idProduct=746

Same picture on the Rothco site:

http://www.rothco.com/general/index.cfm/.../search/Rothco/

I bought mine from countycomm but didn't check the colored strand to trace back the manufacturer...

Frankie