
A classic American pastime of past decades is the circus. While the circus has lost some of its magic and appeal in past years – perhaps for good reasons – it used to be quite popular in the past. From majestic acrobats to charming (and slightly creepy) clowns, the circus still holds a certain nostalgic charm of a time gone by. We’re here today to explore how things once were and how they’ve changed over the decades. So, without further ado, let’s dive right in.
#1: Stretch It Out
Contortionists have always been a source of fascination and delight for many people. That’s why these extra-flexible performers are perfect for the circus! This vintage image of a contortionist shows just how flexible they had to be to draw in the crowds. This performer is bent completely backward to the point where his head is touching the back of his thighs.

We know that morning stretches are great for the body, but this is on a whole other level. The man is dressed in his full circus costume, which looks a lot like something we’d see at a modern-day circus. He’s wearing a flexible one-piece that allows plenty of movement. Perhaps the black-and-white stripes give the illusion that his body is longer.