The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1888-06-30
CEILING WALKING.
How the Startling Feat IL Performed by
TrupcZo Artists.

Trupczo Artists.
There arc to-day nt least fifteen persons
who perform the novel feat of walking head
down along the full length of great board
asd who are known us ceiling walkers, says
tho Cincinnati ftguIyr There are lady
aud gentlemen performers, their perform
anccs being confined almost entirely TO tho
variety stage The cifcCtis startling as ono
of them moves along underneath the board,
far above the floor of the stage, their full
form extending downward. Until recently
the manner of performing the feat was "A
guarded secret While thcro is general
difference rs to details, the principle in-
volvcd in keeping the walker suspended is
practically the same, 1t is the secret of tho
ability of the fly to walk over n ceiling.
Tho board used is n heavy plank about
fifteen feet long aud three feet wide. This
is rendered almost perfectly smooth by be-
ing rubbed down with pumlce stone. Near
each end Of tho board is suspended trap
c2c, TO which the performer hangs, head
down, as he presses his feet TO the board
above him when starting upon his walk.
Underneath is stretched u largo net. An
ordinary pair Of stage shoes wal answer the
purpose. TO the bottom of these are fast
cncd circular, conCavo arrangements Of
gum, n sort of bowl-shapcd shoes, about six
and onc-half inches in diameter, and It ia
these, pressed against tho board above,
that hold the walker suspended.
The material of which these bowl-shaped
shoes is made is of the Same thickness and
appearance rs that used in heavy nrcmcn's
hose. In the center, on the concavo side Of
these shoes, Is thick piece of steel, circu-
lar in form. To this plato is rivitcd on the
convex side Of the shoes small iron frame
work From this fro .kx.,plE ~ a.
iron rods, shaped like the handles of the in
strumcnt used in toastiug or broiliug. BY
the framework tho bowl-shaped shoes are
fastened TO the regular walking shoes Tho
rods referred 10 extend toward the toe,
resting underneath the ball OF the foot \
pressure cxcrted upon that portion of tho
foot will press out the rods and permit tho
air TO rush into the concaye gum shoes Just
at their center.
Every thing In readiness, the performer
sits upon the trapozc and adjusts the con-
cave arrangements to his shoes. Then no
swings around, head down, holding onto
the trapczc, and presses the bowl.shapcd
arrangements on his shoes TO the board
above. As he presses the air Is driven out
of the bowl A vacuum is created as the
gum is pressed all the tighter against tho
board, becoming ilattcned out The atmos-
phcric pressure ON each one OF the shoes
used will exert power TO carry a weight
Of about fifteen pounds 10 the square ZACH
Then the trapc2e Is let 20 of The performer
hangs suspended. A pressure upon tho
ball Of the left foot operates tho iron rod
which opens small arrangement at tho
convex center of the concavc shoes. Air
rushcs in and the shoe becomes loosencd.
Hanging by the right foot, the one looscncd
Is thrown further along on the board.
Tightly u Is pressed 10 the board until IL
fastens, Then the left is operated in the
same manner ana 80 II continues until tho
stage Is crossed.