Ever wonder when the first light-up juggling clubs came onto the scene? It was in 1912 when the legendary German juggler Salerno (also known as Adolf Behrend) crafted them with electric lights that shifted colors as he juggled. Now, that’s what I call a dazzling performance!
The English fellow, John Bill Rickets, was the one responsible for the juggling spectacle at America’s inaugural circus; he even juggled on horseback with none other than George Washington himself as a spectator! Speaking of showstoppers, you’ll always find at least one juggling act at the circus, as it’s the most iconic skill of any circus troupe. So, if you’re looking to impress your pals, hone your focus, or even shed a few calories, juggling is absolutely your jam!
Ancient Roots and Epic Feats
Imagine this: A warrior juggling seven swords at once – that’s what the Chinese Book of Lie Zi, penned over 2,300 years ago, describes! Talk about intense. Even earlier, the walls of an ancient Egyptian tomb, dating back to roughly 2,000 BC (we’re talking over 4,000 years ago!), showcase the earliest known depiction of juggling for some unknown prince. And get this: ancient Chinese warriors would totally try to freak out their enemies before a fight by juggling! Now that’s a power move.
According to his engraved tombstone, the Roman juggler Tagatus Ursus was a trailblazer, being the first person ever to juggle glass balls. And check out these old-school jugglers from the late 1700s, observed juggling up to seven items at once, from gourds to nuts! Apparently, the Normans were pretty into juggling too, as evidenced by the Bayeux Tapestry from 1066. Wild, right?
Pioneers of the Prop
Jim Harrigan, the OG ‘Tramp Juggler,’ was the first to incorporate cigar boxes into his act and also one of the first jugglers to weave comedic lines into his routine. A true innovator! Before clubs became the norm, DeWitt Cook was the first juggler to perform with them, ditching sticks, torches, or knives. These clubs were actually Indian Clubs, traditionally used for arm exercises, made from hefty wood, and shaped a bit like modern bowling pins.
In 1885, ‘The Murdock Bros’ achieved a pretty cool milestone, becoming the first-ever two-person club-passing duo, juggling four clubs between them while perched on pedestals. Talk about coordination! Then came the ‘Gentlemen Juggler’ in the late 1800s and early 1900s, a new style pioneered by the legendary Kara. He’d rock formal evening attire, often starting his routine by juggling his top hat, cane, and cigar before moving on to everyday dinner-party items like plates, bottles, loaves of bread, and even chairs!
And speaking of sophisticated juggling, the modern-day gentlemen juggler Mat Ricardo is the one who coached Henry Cavill to master the tablecloth trick in the film The Man From U.N.C.L.E., where he rips it away, leaving everything standing. Pretty slick!
Juggling Greats and Game Changers
Enrico Rastelli (1896 – 1931) is widely considered the GOAT of juggling. He might not have nailed nine balls at once, but get this – he could juggle ten! He was also one of the first to tackle large balls, like leather footballs, which is seriously impressive. Another juggler who left us too soon was the technically gifted John Breen. He could juggle seven clubs, pull off a five-club shower, and even a five-club cascade with a head balance. Sadly, John passed away in 1912 at just 21.
In the late 19th Century, rubber balls totally flipped the script on traditional juggling with the arrival of bounce-juggling. And Charles Hoey? He was the first dude to juggle four clubs simultaneously! The only catch was he couldn’t stop without dropping them, so the curtain had to drop while his clubs were still flying. What a way to end a show!
Mastering the Art
Want to start juggling? Scarves are your best bet – super easy to learn with. If you’re going for quantity, rings are your friend; they’re light and easy to hold multiple. Clubs, surprisingly, are easier than balls for a shower style. And here’s a cool fact: studies show juggling can actually boost your brainpower in as little as seven days! Plus, research suggests it might even help ward off Alzheimer’s disease, along with other brain-training activities. So grab some props and get tossing!
