Editor’s Note: The following article mentions slavery and military conquest. It is presented for educational value without any political endorsement. By Esteban Velez. Kublai Khan (1215-1294) was a Mongol emperor and founder of the Yuan Dynasty (1271–1368). He was the grandson of Genghis Khan. He is known as the Emperor of the Seas for his naval campaigns to conquer …
William De Lisle / Sandy Lyle – One Juggler, Two Names
By David Cain William De Lisle was born in Glens Falls, New York (USA) in 1884. He taught himself to juggle at the age of 12. He was not satisfied with copying other acts and worked diligently to create original ideas. For example, he would stand on one side of the stage and have a wastebasket on the other, with …
Lottie Brunn Juggling Cartoon Scrapbook # 2
In July of 2024, Michael Chirrick, the son of juggling icon Lottie Brunn, donated two of his mother’s scrapbooks to the Museum of Juggling History. Rather than them being filled with clippings from Lottie’s illustrious career, they are filled with juggling-themed cartoons and illustrations that she collected throughout her life. We recently shared photos and video from the first of …
Lottie Brunn Juggling Cartoon Scrapbook # 1
In July of 2024, Michael Chirrick, the son of juggling icon Lottie Brunn, donated two of his mother’s scrapbooks to the Museum of Juggling History. Rather than being filled with clippings from Lottie’s illustrious career, they are filled with juggling-themed cartoons and illustrations she collected throughout her life. Some images are drawings of Lottie herself or other well-known jugglers, such …
The Tragic Robbery of Karl Rappo
By Esteban Velez Karl Rappo is considered one of the first modern jugglers (one of the first jugglers since Philip Astley created the modern circus around 1770). He was born Karl Von Rapp on May 14, 1800 in Innsbruck, Austria. He trained in gymnastics in his youth, which gave him great strength. His artistic career began when he joined …
Lucy Gillet – New Information and Photos
By David Cain Lucy Gillet was an extremely talented juggler. She juggled six plates while balancing a long bird perch on her chin and a flower pot on her forehead. She also performed nine balls in her act. Despite these incredible toss juggling feats, she was best known for her foot juggling and balancing stunts. Lucy Gillet was born …
The Ball In A Cup On The Head Trick
By David Cain There is an entire category of juggling tricks that I call simple tossing and catching tricks. These include stunts such as the Cups and Saucers Trick, the Candelabra Trick, and The Horn and Rings Trick. A very simple one of these tricks was performed in the 1800s. I call it, for lack of a better term, …
Chinlone: From Royal Juggling to National Sport
By Esteban Velez Chinlone is believed to be over 1500 years old. Its literal translation is “round basket.” Initially, this form of juggling was an artistic activity to entertain royalty. In the 19th century. Jugglers in Myanmar practiced Chinlone with several balls (made of hand-woven rattan) balanced on various places on their bodies. Rattan balls for Chinlone game. Moung …
The Golf Club Balance Trick
By David Cain The balancing stunt known as the Golf Club Trick utilizes three golf clubs and one golf ball in its most common form. It was invented by juggler Joe Marsh in 1930. You can see Joe performing the trick below: Joe Marsh As you can see in the above photo, one golf club is placed horizontally on …