ON THE CUTTING EDGE: How Michael Jackson Defied Gravity

Did you ever wonder how Michael Jackson was able to lean forward in the “Smooth Criminal” video without doing a face-plant? MediaBistro’s “UnBeige” design blog explains that Jackson had devised patented “anti-gravity footwear” for that stunt:

 

That's right, intellectual property fans, Jackson is listed as the first of three inventors on United States Patent 5,255,452, granted in 1993 for a "method and means for creating anti-gravity illusion." Translation: special loafers fitted with heels that can slot into the stage floor to allow the wearer to lean forward, style, at gravity-defying angles.

 

According to the patent's abstract, the Jackson-devised system relies on "a hitch member movably projectable through a stage surface. The shoes have a specially designed heel slot which can be detachably engaged with the hitch member by simply sliding the shoe wearer's foot forward, thereby engaging with the hitch member."

 

Say, say, say what you want about Jackson’s troubled personal life and identity issues, but his dedication to his art was unparalleled.

Posted by The Stiletto at June 29, 2009
Categories: On The Cutting Edge
 

What did you think of this article?




Trackbacks
Trackback specific URL for this post
  • No trackbacks exist for this post.
Comments
  • No comments exist for this post.
Leave a comment

Submitted comments are subject to moderation before being displayed.

 Name (required)

 Email (will not be published) (required)

 Website

Your comment is 0 characters limited to 3000 characters.