Prompt Cast
The History and Dangers of Human Cannonballing
TLDR Human cannonballing has a long history, with performers being shot out of cannons and caught by trapeze artists. However, it is a dangerous profession with over 30 deaths recorded, and accidents and injuries are not uncommon.
Timestamped Summary
00:00
Arizona State University offers the most online bachelor's degree programs and is ranked number one in innovation for nine consecutive years.
03:47
Human cannonballs have a long history, starting with the Farini projector in the 19th century, and the first person to be shot out of a cannon in America was a man dressed as a woman named Lulu.
07:58
The human cannonball idea took off in the late 19th century, with performers like George Loyal being shot out of cannons and caught by trapeze artists, requiring precise timing and practice.
11:53
Human cannonballs must take into account factors such as wind speed, body weight, and obstacles like guy wires and tent poles, and they use test dummies to ensure they hit the net in the right place.
15:20
Crazy circus families, such as the Zucchini family and the Smith family, have been involved in human cannonballing for decades, with some individuals performing the act thousands of times, but it is a dangerous profession with over 30 deaths recorded.
19:19
The Smith family, particularly David Cannonball Smith Jr., has a long history of being human cannonballs, with David Jr. surpassing his father's record by flying 193 feet.
23:02
Human cannonballs have to stay in top shape and rely on airbags and nets for safety, but accidents still happen, resulting in injuries and even death.
27:02
Accidents and injuries are not uncommon for human cannonballs, as demonstrated by the tragic death of a performer who landed on his head, the collision between two performers resulting in a broken back, and various mishaps such as collapsed nets and wet dummies.
30:49
The tunnel used by human cannonballs is dangerous to navigate without a flashlight and can be accessed through a hidden door in the barn, leading to a strawberry field.
Categories:
Society & Culture
