The circus has just arrived in town and one of the most anticipated performances will be the impressive aerial feat of the flying trapeze. For as long as we can remember, it is the performance that makes audiences hold their breath in hopes that the safety net underneath will not be used. Agility, clarity of mind, and quick reflexes have all been executed in a performance that exudes grace and form. The benefits of a flying trapeze for the human body have been revealed, and soon, the art that was once exclusive to professionals is now a new form of exercise, much more a source of recreation available to almost everyone. The trapeze school developed and faster than you can say “hep!” they have become extremely popular. Before even mustering the courage to step onto the platform and wait for your first routine, have you ever wondered where this elegant form of entertainment originated? How was it done during its beginnings? Was the equipment used then as safe as it is now? The rich history behind the flying trapeze is surprising. Here are 5 historical facts about this new activity in which more and more people are getting involved.
1. Jules Leotard invented this routine in 1859. His father had a gym in Toulouse, France and with the pool to provide a softer landing for an unprecedented fall; Leotard materialized his ideas with a bar attached to ventilation cables located above the water.
2. The first act of the trapeze was performed in front of an audience on November 12, 1859. Leotard displayed his acrobatic invention at the Cirque Napoleon in Paris, France. During that time, safety nets were not invented, so Leotard performed the flying acts on mattresses that acted as his lifeline in case he fell.
3. Does Jules Leotard’s last name sound too familiar? Of course it is. A leotard is a popular gymnastics or exercise garment and is commonly used for the flying trapeze and other acrobatic performances. His name was eternalized by the invention of this functional garment. Leotard needed suitable clothing to perform her flying trapeze act and in 1959, during her trapeze debut at the Cirque de Napoleon in Paris, the first leotard was worn.
4. In 1863, Australia had its first flying aerialist. Charles Perry, a pioneer of Australia’s oldest circus family, Perry Brothers Circus.
5. The first triple somersault in a flying trapeze routine was performed in Australia in the late 19th century by Italian-American aerialist Alfredo Codonas, famous for his impressive performances. He worked as Johnny Weissmuller’s stuntman for the film portrayal of Tarzan in the 1930s. Alfredo with his brother Lalo were part of the Australian Wirth’s Circus, which Alfredo left after 13 years to join the Ringling Brothers Barnum and Bailey Circus from the United States.
The flying trapeze has undergone a great transformation and innovation since its humble beginnings in a lonely gym. It has transcended the gender barrier where world-renowned trapeze artists have emerged. From an activity that once required years of training and mastery, it is now available to all as a form of recreation, exercise, and the acquisition of new skills. The flying trapeze is a fascinating activity that has an equally interesting story to match.