Hugo Zacchini

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Hugo Zacchini
Born October 20, 1898
Died October 20, 1975
San Bernadino, California
Education University of Florida
Occupation Daredevil and painter

Hugo Zacchini (20 October 189820 October 1975, San Bernadino, California) was the first human cannonball. His father Ildebrando Zacchini invented the compressed-air cannon used to propel humans in circus acts.

He was known for being a daredevil, painter, and for being litigious. He was involved with a law suit that made it before the U.S. Supreme Court (which he ultimately won). Aside from his circus talents, Zacchini also held two engineering degrees from the University of Florida. [1]