Jean Francois Gravalet was the most famous acrobat of the 1800’s. Known as the Great Blondin, he became famous for crossing Niagara Falls on a tightrope 1,100 feet long and 160 feet above the water. Before an amazed crowd, he pushed a wheelbarrow across while blindfolded. Then he went back out and stood on his head on the wire. Finally, he carried a man across Niagara Falls on his back. When he had put the rider down, he looked into the crowd and asked a man standing near, “Do you believe I could do that with you?”

“Of course,” the man answered, “I’ve just seen you do it.”

Then Blondin said, “Hop on, I’ll carry you across.”