THE BALLOON MAN

Circus performers, 1950 & 1937
from: nydailynews.com
March 25, 2013

 
Keystone-France/Getty Images, Eddie Jackson/New York Daily News
The long and the short of it! Circuses worldwide are known for their inclusion of the world's shortest and tallest people. Here, performers of the Bertram Mills Circus are pictured in London in 1950 (l.) while the world's tallest and shortest men, who traveled with the Ringling Bros. Circus, are seen in 1937 (r.)

Ralph Morgan/AP
Jang Krishnan of Borneo, boy with finger-like appendage, 1939
 At just 11-years-old, Jang Krishnan became a circus freak seen round the world. The boy had a finger-like appendage growing out of his back. Seen here in Newark, NJ in 1939, the appendage is holding a giant pencil.

Matty Zimmerman/AP
Skee Otaris and her elephant, 1949
Look, no hands! Skee Otaris and her elephant perform for the circus crowds at Madison Square Garden on April 9, 1949.

 PHOTO/NBC
Dick Van Dyke and circus performers, 1978
Dick Van Dyke poses with decked out circus performers in February 1978. The ladies' outfits were comprised of beaded leotards and intricate headpieces.

Giraffe neck women, 1935
With the circus rolling into the Big Apple, we've rounded up amazing acts that have traveled far and wide for your entertainment for years. From giraffe neck women to the world's tallest man (EVER), check out circus freaks ... er performers, of the past ... Three Burmese women, dubbed giraffe neck women for the brass rings around their necks, are pictured playing cards in London in January 1935. The metal coils are an ancient Asian tradition to elongate the neck. The more coils around a woman's neck, the more desirable she is for marriage.
Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/circus-freaks-performers-gallery-1.1298776#ixzz2P8cwxBQa