Fire Eaters and Their Coworkers Quiz

Answer: Funambulism

Tightrope walking is also known as funambulism and is a common type of circus act. Variations can include the use of props such as clubs or rings and walking over unusual places, such as the Grand Canyon or Niagara Falls. In the history of the circus, high wire acts are one of the most dangerous acts on the program and many performers have died while pursuing their chosen occupation.

Answer: Coulrophobia

The fear of clowns is not uncommon. Generally found in children, coulrophobia can be very severe and can make a trip to the circus an impossible feat. Clowns have been used as images of evil in many modern horror stories. While the clown is supposed to be humorous and colorful, many perceive the clown costume as being frightening. What lies beneath? Is it a monster....the devil? Who knows?

Answer: False

Sword swallowing is NOT an illusion nor a magic trick. It is a skill that usually takes years to master. This ancient skill involves repression of the gag reflex while passing a sword through the mouth, down the esophagus, to the stomach. This is a dangerous performing art and death has occurred, usually due to accidental puncture.

This type of act is thought to have originated in India around 2000 B.C. It is a popular act in many parts of the world and has been seen at the circus for many hundreds of years. What you see the sword swallower do is real, even when they are swallowing multiple swords.

Answer: Contortionists

Enterology is the practice of squeezing one's body into a very small container, which appears to be much too small for a human body to fit in. This is an act that has been performed by contortionists for centuries. The skills of each contortionist vary but are usually divided into front-bending or back-bending skills.

There are many myths about contortionists, which are usually based on a lack of knowledge of human anatomy. What is true is that most, but not all, contortionists have hypermobile joints which stretch farther than the average persons joints do, and many are able to dislocate their joints when needed.

Answer: He was hit by a train.

Jumbo the Circus Elephant was quite possibly the most famous circus elephant of all time. Obtained by promoter P.T. Barnum from the London Zoo in 1882, Jumbo toured North America until his untimely death in 1885 when he was hit by a train in St. Thomas, Ontario. Barnum donated his skeleton to the American Museum of Natural History in New York City where it was still on display over 100 years later.

His hide was stuffed and mounted and toured with the circus for another couple of years before it was donated to Tufts University, where it was on display until destroyed in a fire in 1975.

Answer: Jules Leotard

Jules Leotard was a famous French acrobat who is usually credited with developing the art of trapeze. He is shown in this photo wearing the iconic outfit which still bears his name. The 1867 song "The Daring Young Man on the Flying Trapeze" is believed to be about Leotard. The flying trapeze continues to be one of the favorite performances at the most circuses.

Answer: The Freak Show

Once a common part of the circus, the freak show allowed the average circus goer to see some very unusual people, for only a few cents more. People with unusual diseases or deformities could make a very good living displaying themselves on stage. In the 20th century freak shows became less popular as many felt that it was in poor taste to display these people. Little did many of them realize, that the average freak made very good money and by banning freak shows, they often took away the only means some of these people had to support themselves.

Answer: Barker

Barkers were a very important part of the circus. It was up to them to get the public interested in paying to come inside and see what unusual acts and sights were to be found inside. The barker would often parade some of the acts or have them conduct a brief show. There was no money to be made if you were unable to get the public inside.

Answer: Basil Rathbone

All of these people, with the exception of British actor Basil Rathbone, were famous animal tamers. Van Amburgh (1811-1865) was an American trainer often credited as developing the first trained wild animal act. Nicknamed "The Lion King" he was well known for placing his head inside the jaws of his lions. Mabel Stark (1889-1968) was often touted as the world's first female tiger trainer. Gunther Gebel-Williams (1934-2001) was one of the most famous animal trainers in the world and worked for Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus for over 20 years.

He worked with lions, panthers, leopards and tigers. All of these performers were well known for their skills and in spite of this all were seriously mauled at least once in their careers. This job is as dangerous as it looks.

Answer: False

That is completely false. Fire eating is a skill that uses real fire and can result in harm to the performer. Fire eating torches are often made using Kevlar but there is no such thing as a Kevlar tattoo. The fire is extinguished by simply cutting off the oxygen to the flames.

The practice is believed to have started in southern Asia as part of the Hindu religion. The better the skill of the performer the greater his spiritual attainment.