Entertainment Culture: Circuses and Freak Shows

By circus2023

  • Introduction

    In the 19th and 20th centuries, circuses and “freak shows” held a prominent place in American entertainment culture. Americans sought reprieve from a period of rapid urbanization and cultural development through entertainment which exploited anomalous figures and artifacts. Technological and industrial innovations such as the completion of the Transcontinental Railroad and the invention of circus tents enabled traveling circus tours as we still observe today.

  • Introduction of the circus tent

    Introduction of the circus tent
    European circuses usually involved the construction of buildings which fixed the circus to one location. American circuses, like that of Joshua Purdy Brown, had smaller audiences and needed to find a more affordable, practical alternative. The circus tent was introduced by Brown in 1825 and allowed touring circuses to set up and tear down very efficiently. The circus tent was a key innovation leading to the traveling circuses we see today.

  • PT Barnum's American Museum Opens

    PT Barnum's American Museum Opens
    In 1842, P.T. Barnum's American Museum opened in NYC. Focused on garnering a wide range of attention, it included diverse cultural forms which appealed to all social classes. At one end of the spectrum were physical anomalies like General Tom Thumb, a popular dwarf just over three feet tall. At the other were scientific lectures offered to appeal to the desire for self-improvement and sophistication. The museum became a cultural center of New York City and enjoyed over 20 years of popularity.

  • Conjoined twins Change and Eng Bunker join P.T. Barnum's American Museum

    Conjoined twins Change and Eng Bunker join P.T. Barnum's American Museum
    Chang and Eng Bunker were conjoined twins born in Siam, now known as Thailand. Discovered by a Scottish merchant in 1824, they were eventually taken to America to exhibit their anomalous case to fascinated audiences. In 1860, the twins signed a six-week contract to perform at Barnum's museum. Chang and Eng became cultural icons and enjoyed financial success through their involvement in "freak shows".

  • Eugen Sandow rises to fame

    Eugen Sandow rises to fame
    Like freak shows, Eugen Sandow was a physical anomaly who captured the attention of Americans. He rose to fame in 1889 after winning the London Strongman Competition. Sandow was revered as a refreshing cultural return to ideal masculine characteristics and made tours across America and Europe. Established as a celebrity and symbol for masculine physique, he went on to trademark the ‘simple means' , a popular series of exercises dispersed around the world.

  • First public demonstration of the kinetoscope

    First public demonstration of the kinetoscope
    In 1893, the first public demonstration of the kinetoscope was held at the Brooklyn Institute of Arts and Sciences. The kinetoscope captured movement through a set of still images. Introduced alongside the Kinetoscope were some of the first motion pictures covering popular show acts. Upon looking through an eyeglass one could see famous performers such as Eugen Sandow captured in stunning clarity for the time.

  • Merging of Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey circuses

    Merging of Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey circuses
    As Americans went to fight in WWI, the two most popular contemporary circuses merged in 1919 to become Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey. The show employed thousands and was known for its stunning acrobatics and exotic animals like Jumbo, supposedly the largest elephant in the world. The circus remained continued to operate in the US until 2017 when it shut down in response to animal rights protests and struggles to compete with modern-day entertainment.