Stuff You Should Know SYSK Selects: Juggling: What the Heck
Jun 27, 2020
Juggling is more than just tossing balls in the air—it's a deep blend of art, history, and science. Uncover the origins of this playful craft and its transition into a competitive sport. Learn essential techniques and tips for beginners, including mastering the classic cascade pattern. Explore the fun side with competitive elements like combat juggling. Delve into the physics and math behind juggling, revealing how gravity and projectile motion play a crucial role. Juggling truly is an engaging mix of skill, joy, and community!
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Ancient Juggling
- Hieroglyphs in Egyptian tombs depict women toss juggling, dating back to 1994 BCE.
- Juggling was also practiced in ancient Greece, Rome, India, and Thebes, demonstrating its historical prevalence.
Eight Torch Juggler
- A rabbi named Shimon ben Gamaliel, mentioned in the Talmud, could juggle eight torches at once.
- This feat is remarkable, considering modern world records are around seven torches.
Shifting Status of Jugglers
- Jugglers were highly regarded in the Roman era, but their status declined during the Holy Roman Empire.
- They were then associated with con artists before regaining popularity as clown-like entertainers in the medieval era.