flying trapeze

circus act equipment

Written by

The Information Architects of Encyclopaedia Britannica

Last updated

June 26, 2026

Quick Summary

The flying trapeze is an apparatus used in circus acts, invented in 1859 by French acrobat Jules Léotard. It involves performers swinging from a trapeze bar, often performing acrobatic feats and catches. This act, along with tightrope walking, significantly boosted public interest in aerial gymnasts and acrobats by the late 19th century. Acrobatic acts became a popular part of circuses, though the horse remained the supreme circus attraction. The Hanlon Brothers were influential in popularizing trapeze acts in North America in the 1860s.123

Summary created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

4 Britannica Sources

Ask Britannica AI about this topic

Britannica doesn't have a full article on this topic, so we've curated a list of our relevant coverage.

acrobatics
…balls, barrels, tightropes, trampolines, and flying trapezes.
Read More
…balls, barrels, tightropes, trampolines, and flying trapezes.
Read More

circus
Acts of skill
The flying trapeze was invented by the French acrobat Jules Léotard in 1859. That same year another Frenchman, Jean-François Gravelet (stage name “Blondin”), crossed Niagara Falls on a tightrope. These events excited public interest in the work of the aerial gymnast and acrobat. By the turn…
Read More
The flying trapeze was invented by the French acrobat Jules Léotard in 1859. That same year another Frenchman, Jean-François Gravelet (stage name “Blondin”), crossed Niagara Falls on a tightrope. These events excited public interest in the work of the aerial gymnast and acrobat. By the turn…
Read More