| Hugo Timonte Zacchini | |
|---|---|
| Born | October 20, 1898 Peru, South America |
| Died | October 20, 1975 San Bernardino, California |
| Education | University of Florida; Attended Rome Arts Academy where at age of 12 he graduated. Graduated Jamestown Academy in New York, where he received a Master's in Art. |
| Occupation | Daredevil and artist, sculptor, taught art in Chaffey College, interpreter to as many as 11 languages. |
| Spouse | Elsa Gertrude Walker Zacchini |
| Children | Hugo Anthony Zacchini, Patchay "Pat" Zacchini |
Hugo Zacchini (20 October 1898 – 20 October 1975, San Bernardino, 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 and a painter, and for being litigious. He was involved with a lawsuit that made it before the U.S. Supreme Court, Zacchini v. Scripps-Howard Broadcasting Co., which he ultimately won. Zacchini sued Scripps-Howard, the owner of an Ohio television station, when it filmed, and then broadcast on the evening news, Zacchini's entire act of being shot out of a cannon at a county fair. The United States Supreme Court sided with Zacchini, ruling 5 to 4 that the publicity rights overrode the First Amendment rights in this case where the entire act was shown on television.[1]
Aside from his circus talents, Zacchini also held two engineering degrees from the University of Florida. He died on October 20, 1975.[2]