Unfortunately, when people don't look or think like everyone else, they are considered abnormal or ugly. The audience is ready to make fun of them and point the finger. This is exactly what they did at the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries, when circuses showing amazing people were insanely popular. This review presents individuals who have become popular due to their unusual physiology.
1. Three-legged artist
Francesco Lentini - Three Legged Artist
Francesco Lentini was recognized as the master of sideshow
To the public, Francesco Lentini was known as the three-legged master of sideshow. In fact, Francesco was born with an underdeveloped Siamese twin. The doctors removed all unnecessary things from the living baby, and left the third leg. At first, the boy grew up depressed, considering himself flawed. But, after staying in a private boarding house with deaf and blind children, Francesco realized that he was not so bad. The third leg was fully functional. Lentini entertained the audience with jumping rope or playing football with three feet at once. A sense of humor always came to Lentini's aid.
Promotional video:
2. Two in one
Jean Libbera - a man who lived with a twin parasite
Jean Libber - a unique woman with a man on her body
The uniqueness of Jean Libbera made him extremely popular at the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries. The man lived with an ingrown twin. Outside there were arms and legs, and the head had grown into Jean's chest (this became clear after X-rays).
3. Girl-"camel"
Ella Harper is a girl with arched knees
Ella Harper's knees were bent backwards
This girl was unlucky enough to be born with her knees bent in the opposite direction. Ella Harper was born in 1870. She, like many other people with bodily defects, was shown in the circus. Ella could only move on all fours, for which she received the nickname “camel girl”. Based on circus records, Ella Harper left the circus at 16 to go to school. After that, nothing is known about her.
4. Girl with huge legs from Ohio
Fannie Mills - Girl With Huge Swollen Legs
Fanny Mills made her illness famous
Fannie Mills was another “circus freak”. She was called the "Big Legged Girl from Ohio." The fact is that due to "Millroy's disease", Fanny had unusually swollen legs of incredible size.
5. A man with a huge face
Maurice Tillet disfigured due to illness
Maurice Tillet - two-time wrestling champion
In the first half of the 20th century, Maurice Tillet was a popular champion in professional wrestling. As a child, he was an ordinary boy, but as a teenager he was diagnosed with acromegaly - a benign tumor on the pituitary gland, due to which thickening and enlargement of bones occurs. At the age of 19, Maurice dropped out of law school, and, after a while, began to engage in wrestling. Despite his eerie appearance, he was a very educated person and spoke 14 languages.
