Artificially meeting up with AI for some Q&A, here are some samples I threw its way and how it responded to each. HI stands for Human Intervention, myself.
Where can I find the lyric for the song, Come to the Circus from the movie The Greatest Show on Earth?
AI: The song "Come to the Circus" from the movie The Greatest Show on Earth doesn't have a specific song title or lyrics. It's a musical piece used in the movie's soundtrack, and it's part of the musical score, not a song with specific lyrics. (HI, it did have lyrics)
Who invented the three ring circus?
The three-ring circus was invented in 1871 by P.T. Barnum and William Coup, founders of the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus. This innovation allowed for multiple acts to perform simultaneously, creating a more dynamic and entertaining spectacle. (HI, make that 1881, by Barnum and Bailey)
Who moved Ringling from big tops to hard tops?
AI: Irvin Feld is credited with moving Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus from outdoor tents to indoor arenas. He purchased the circus in 1967 and made the transition to permanent venues like sports stadiums and arenas. This shift significantly impacted the circus's profitability, transforming it into a successful enterprise. (HI, it was John Ringling North and Art Concello)
I heard the show closed in 2017, but then returned to the road in 2023?
Let's take on the still-contested triple somersault on the flying trapeze. Who was the first to accomplish it?
Two answers. Who knows, there may be more.
AI: The first circus performer to successfully execute a triple somersault on the flying trapeze was Lena Jordan, a Russian-born trapeze artist. She accomplished this feat at the young age of 12, although the first officially recognized triple somersault was performed in Australia in 1897.
AI: The first aerialist to consistently perform the triple somersault on the flying trapeze was Alfredo Codona. He was a member of the famous "Flying Codonas" family and achieved this feat in 1919. The New York Times and BnF / CNAC reported on his accomplishment. While Lena Jordan is credited with performing the first triple somersault in 1897 in Australia, she did not achieve consistent performance of the trick like Codona. Wikipedia notes that Jordan's first triple was recorded in Australia, but she also performed it in the US in 1896. Alfredo Codona, however, is known for perfecting the triple and making it a part of his regular act
But what about Ernest Clark?
AI: Yes, Ernest Clark is generally credited for completing a triple, though there have been others like Lena Jordan, who have also made claims. While
some circus old-timers say that Clark tried it infrequently and wasn't
always successful, his accomplishment is a significant milestone in
trapeze history.
AI: Conflicting claims about the first triple somersault in circus history are likely due to a few factors: the difficulty of verifying historical feats, the use of safety harnesses, and the evolving definition of what constitutes a "first" successful performance. Several performers, including the Clarkes and Alfredo Codona, have been credited with achieving the trick, sometimes in practice sessions rather than official performances. Here's a more detailed breakdown:
Verification Challenges:
Documenting circus performances, especially from the early 20th century, can be difficult. Accurate records of practice sessions and the specific details of safety harnesses used might be incomplete or lost to time.
The Role of Safety Harnesses:
Some claims involve performers like the Clarkes using "mechanics" or safety harnesses to assist in the triple somersault. Whether these harnesses count as a true accomplishment is a matter of debate.
Defining "First":
Some claims refer to the first successful triple somersault in a practice session, while others focus on the first time it was performed in a public circus act. This distinction adds to the confusion.
Alfredo Codona's Legacy:
Alfredo Codona was a highly regarded aerialist known for consistently performing the triple somersault in the 1920s, even after a deadly fall, making him a prominent figure in circus history.
The Clarkes and Miguel Vazquez:
The Clarkes are credited with achieving the triple somersault in a performance of the Publiones Circus in Cuba, and Miguel Vazquez is known for successfully perfoing it and the quadruple somersault, though not in a live show.