Why Don't Human Cannonballs Die When Shot Out of the Cannon?

TL;DR

Human cannonballing is an incredibly dangerous profession with a high death rate, but it has captivated audiences since the late 19th century.

Transcript

Whenever there is a list released of the world’s most dangerous jobs, tree loggers, steelworkers, electrical power-line installers, and fisherman usually are the professions that populate the list. But none of those things are nearly as dangerous as being propelled out of a long cylinder tube, flown through the air completely untethered, and attemp... Read More

Key Insights

• 👂 Tree loggers and fishermen often make lists of the most dangerous jobs, but human cannonballing surpasses them all in terms of risk.
• 💝 The human cannonball act originated in the late 19th century and quickly became a popular spectacle in circuses.
• 😀 The mechanics behind shooting a human from a cannon involve compressed air or bungee cords, with speeds reaching up to 70 miles per hour.
• 🛩️ Landing is the most dangerous part of being a human cannonball, with small targets and a history of accidents and fatalities.
• 💀 Despite the dangers, there have been successful and famous human cannonballs, often in family dynasties.
• 👪 The Zacchini family and Smith family are well-known for their contributions to human cannonballing.
• 😒 Hugo Zacchini's legal battle with Scripps-Howard over the use of footage from his act resulted in a Supreme Court ruling in his favor.

Questions & Answers

Q: Who invented the human cannonball act?

The first human cannonball act is attributed to either "The Australian Marvels" Ella Zuila and George Loyal or 14-year-old Rossa Matilda Richter, also known as "Zazel." The exact date and performer are still debated.

Q: How are human cannonballs launched?

Human cannonballs are launched using compressed air or bungee cords. The platform under the performer is pushed up with a force of 3,000 to 6,000 pounds per square inch, propelling them into the air.

Q: What is the main danger of being a human cannonball?

Landing is the most hazardous part, as the targets are small compared to the distance the human cannonballs travel. Test dummies are used to ensure the targets can hold the performer's weight, but accidents can still occur.

Q: Are there any famous human cannonball families?

Yes, the Zacchini family and the Smith family are well-known in the human cannonballing community. The Zacchinis performed from the 1920s to the 1990s, and the Smiths, including David "Cannonball" Smith and David "The Bullet" Smith Jr., are prominent today.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Human cannonballing first gained popularity in the late 19th century and quickly became a staple of circus acts.

• Performers are shot out of a cannon using compressed air or bungee cords, reaching speeds of up to 70 miles per hour.

• Landing is the most hazardous part, with small targets and a history of accidents and fatalities.