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CIRCUS UNICYCLES...Part One  Submitted by Editor on   2/23/2009 Last Modified Circus Juventas photos by Lori Ulm and Corey Gordon. The unicycle is thought to have been invented in the late nineteenth century.  The "Penny Farthing",  which is a bicycle with a large front wheel and a small back wheel was very popular during this time.  It was very common that the rear wheel would go up in the air and many riders of this bike would see how long they could ride on one wheel.  Therefore the unicycle was born.     Left: A police officer rides an old style bicycle in a parade. Right: This 1893 Circus poster depicts an early bicycle act. From the 1903 Barnum & Bailey Circus program magazine. Circuses in that era often had "thrill acts" that had riders on this type of bike ascending high spiral ramps.  This is one of the most believed theories of the creation of the circus unicycle.     Left: An early drawing shows a "unicycle" ascending a high spiral ramp.    Right:  In doing my research, the earliest record of a unicycle act (as we know it today) was the "Maysy - Branch Duo" who appeared with Ringling Bros. Barnum & Bailey Circus in 1938. Unicycle History Update...see part 2! Since then, the unicycle has become a very common act in many circuses all over the world.  The unicycle has also evolved into other circus acts such as juggling, low and high wire, teeterboard, musical, and comedy. Unicycle riders with the Great All American Youth Circus in Redlands, CA perform in a star like formation.     Left:  The Campa Sisters (1972) combine juggling with standing two high on the unicycle.  Right:  Peru Amateur Circus 2008, an amazing display of standing two high on the high wire. The Cabellero Family (1986) used a unicycle in their teeterboard act.     Left: Sarah, from the Berkshire Children's Circus Camp in Pittsfield, MA plays the violin while unicycling.  Now that's talent! Right:  The "King Charles Troupe" (1978) performed a comedy basketball act on unicycles on Ringling Bros. Barnum & Bailey Circus for many seasons. When I first tried unicycling four years ago, I didn't think I would ever come this far.  I'd watch the older kids who'd been riding for years and thought I'd never be that good...but I proved myself wrong!   I couldn't ride more than a few pedals for weeks when I first started out.   I constantly fell...and fell discouraged, but I never gave up.  After a month or two I was riding several feet.   Within a year I was free-mounting, riding well, and learning many new tricks.  Now that I have four years of unicycling under my belt, I look back on that first year and realize just how far I have come, Unicycle practice under the Circus Juventas "Big Top" Here some Circus Juventas unicyclists work on the "Bridge", a trick where several pair of unicyclists line up forming a "bridge" that they take turns riding under. Some Circus Juventas unicyclists style after their performance in the May 2006 shows. The Peru Amateur Circus Unicycle act in 2008 The unicycle act during the Sailor Circus 2008 Holiday Spectacular. The act was based on the "battle between the soldiers and the mice" from the "Nutcracker" Ballet.     Left: Two young unicyclists from the Children's Circus of Middletown, CT perform a "two star"...on the grass! Right: From the Great All American Youth Circus in Redlands, CA, this is Jesse on the unicycle, Jeannemarie standing on his shoulders, with Jenna spotting. This standing two high is a trick that requires a lot of trust.  Photo taken at the 2007 AYCO Festival in Normal, IL.     Left: Also from the 2007 AYCO Festival, This unicyclist gets two helping hands while learning to ride the giraffe unicycle. Right: That's me Rachel, performing during the May 2008 Shows. These colorful costumed young ladies from Actor's Gymnasium in Evanston, IL perform two and three stars. The key to becoming a succesful unicyclist is to never ever give up.  You find that learning unicycle is a lot of just trying things again and again 'til you get it right.  But the pride and joy you feel when you finally master that trick you've been working on makes all that struggle worth it!  You learn that " I can't" and "I'm not good enough" are no longer part of your vocabulary.  You always have to believe in yourself, and with that...and a little time you will become a successful unicyclist. Some professional circus unicycle acts: The Hall Family, also known as the "Whiz Kids" in 1954.     Left: Brother and sister George and Monica Bertini in 1984 display a standing two high with a split. Right: 12 year old Mabelle Davison skillfuly weaves in and out of flower vases. TO BE CONTINUED IN PART TWO Email This Resource   Copyright © 1999-2010 Circus Fans Association of America and Authors. For more information view our  Copyright Policy & Privacy Policy .

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