“Hugo Zacchini (20 October 1898 – 20 October 1975, San Bernardino, California) was the first human cannonball. His father Ildebrando Zacchini invented the compressed-air cannon used to propel humans in circus acts. He was known for being a daredevil and a painter, and for being litigious. He was involved with a lawsuit that made it before the U.S. Supreme Court, Zacchini v. Scripps-Howard Broadcasting Co., which he ultimately won. Zacchini sued Scripps-Howard, the owner of an Ohio television station, when it filmed, and then broadcast on the evening news, Zacchini’s entire act of being shot out of a cannon at a county fair. The United States Supreme Court sided with Zacchini, ruling 5 to 4 that the publicity rights overrode the First Amendment rights in this case where the entire act was shown on television.” From the wikipedia entry.
In three months I plan to shoot myself out of a cannon pointed towards the middle of America, landing somewhere in Chicago.
Just be careful not to “fire” prematurely or overshoot your destination
love that secondi photo.please don’t steal my mind movie either
My uncle had a great promotional pic 8×10 in his estate of hugo standing onto of the barrel of his cannon which is now posted. His act was highlighted on the Harold Bros. Circus Programs for 1964 and 1965 which can be seen on this blod as well. Long live the “center ring”
I have one of his paintings of a clown holding what appears to be a dead puppy
watch grey cup winnipeg vs bc…
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