Human Cannonball

The human cannonball is a performance in which a person (the "cannonball" ) is ejected from a specially designed cannon. The impetus is provided not by gunpowder, but by either a spring or jet of compressed air. In a circus performance, gunpowder may be used to provide visual and auditory effects, but this is unrelated to the launching mechanism.

The human cannonball lands on a horizontal net, the placement of which is determined by classical mechanics. Outdoor performances may also aim at a body of water.

The first human cannonball, in 1877, was a girl called "Zazel" (Rossa Matilda Richter, then only 14). She was launched by a spring-style cannon made by American George Farini (William Leonard Hunt). She toured with the P.T. Barnum Circus.

World record

The current world record for the farthest human cannonball flight is 56.54 m (185 ft 10 in), by David "Cannonball" Smith Sr. This feat occurred on May 29, 1998, at Kennywood Park, West Mifflin, Pennsylvania, USA. It is estimated David was traveling at over 112 km/h (70 mph) during the flight.