Ildebrando Zacchini

Ildebrando Zacchini
Born 1868
Malta
Died July 17, 1948(1948-07-17) (aged 79–80)
Tampa, Florida
Resting place Myrtle Hill Memorial Park, Tampa
Nationality Maltese
Known for human cannonball act
Spouse(s) Madelina Dal Paos (1872 – 1963)
Children Hugo Zacchini, Edmondo Zacchini

Ildebrando Zacchini (1868 - July 17, 1948, Tampa, Florida) was a Maltese-born painter, inventor, and travelling circus owner.[1]

Inspired by the works of Jules Verne, Zacchini came up with an idea for a human cannonball act.[2] Instead of explosives, Zacchini's human-firing cannon used compressed air, and he first tested it on his son Hugo Zacchini.

The idea for the cannonball act was initially proposed to the Italian government as a military maneuver to be used in conjunction with parachutes; when the proposal was rejected Zacchini looked to use the technique as part of an entertainment act.[3]

Members of the Zacchini family were later inducted into the Ringling Brothers Circus Hall of Fame.[4]

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Rene Zacchini left circus to serve in Florida House...". St. Petersburg Times. April 22, 2010. Retrieved April 23, 2010.
  2. ↑ "Zacchini Cannon Enters Museum". St. Petersburg Times. March 31, 1976. Retrieved April 23, 2010.
  3. ↑ "'Trigger man' behind human cannonball dies". Sarasota Herald-Tribune. January 11, 1993. Retrieved April 23, 2010.
  4. ↑ "Ildebrando Zacchini". Find A Grave. Retrieved August 14, 2012.


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