Entertainment in the 1920s looked quite different from today, highlighted by a unique fad that captivated America: flagpole sitting. This activity involved individuals sitting on top of flagpoles for extended periods, with the concept being as straightforward as it sounds.
Alvin “Shipwreck” Kelly was the pioneer of flagpole sitting and became its most celebrated participant. Kelly's most notable sits could last over 20 days, although other performers outlasted him, with Bill Penfield setting a record by sitting for 51 days in Strawberry Point, IA.
Participants were supplied with food and water, sitting on small platforms and using hooks for their hands to rest while sleeping. A simple tube connected to the ground served as a makeshift bathroom.
The trend, however, faded with the onset of the Great Depression, as the public lost interest in spectacles where performers earned significant sums for sitting on poles.
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Jimmy
Flagpole sitting was not just a fad in America, but it also gained popularity in other parts of the world. The trend began in Hollywood in January 1924 when Alvin “Shipwreck” Kelly was hired by a local theater to sit on a pole outside of the building for as long as possible to drum up publicity for ... View More
