Vintage Photos That Show How Insane the Circus Used to Be

Elephants Performing Tricks

This display was put on by John Ringling North, nephew to the famous John Ringling of the Ringling Brothers. He commissioned famed composer Ivor Stravinsky to write a ballet for elephants. 50 elephants performed a choreographed ‘dance.’ Debuting in 1952, it was a huge sensation.