Lets all go Flagpole Sitting for fun!
Want a weird American pastime? Flagpole sitting! Yeah its what it sounds like. It was popularized by Alvin “Shipwreck” Kelly. He started in the 20s and thousands of people would come to watch him…sit on a flagpole. For a really long time. Its no surprise that this guy did stunts basically for a living. After running away from home at 13 he became a sailor. After that he was a steeplejack, high diver, boxer, and stunt pilot. No one knows why he decided to start flagpole sitting but we do know in 1924 he sat on one for 13 hours and 13 minutes. He then started touring cities to sit on flagpoles…yes as a real job! He charged admission for viewings and the “opportunity” to speak with him. Local businesses would sponsor him for advertisements too! Before I tell you how long he sat on some notable occasions let me tell you exactly how he did it. He sat on a cushioned seat 13 inches wide with rope stirrups to keep his balance and not fall off. He would sleep for 5 minute naps at a time. He wouldn’t eat while sitting but instead had broth, coffee, and cigarettes (ah the 20s). Often the flagpole was on top of a building which made it all the more exciting. It lost popularity in the Great Depression. His last flagpole sitting was October 1952. He was 65 and had multiple heart attacks while sitting on the flagpole. He announced his retirement after that. Here are some of the craziest records…
Newark, NJ, 1927 - 312 hours (7 days)
Baltimore, MD, 1929 - 559 hours (23 days and 7 hours)
Atlantic City, 1930 - 1177 hours (49 days and 1 hour!!) This remains the record for longest time flagpole sitting.
