Knowledge Seeker
  • Home
  • Articles

Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus

10/1/2017

 
I haven’t seen this circus in years but for nostalgia purposes I hate that their 146 year run ended. What I find amazing about this particular circus was their ability to close their tents and get back on the road (railroad), in just a day. The numerous employees and animals made it quite challenging but they were experts at it. It’s a simple thing but I also find it amazing that in most cases wherever they performed, the grounds were cleaned so thoroughly that it was difficult to know they were even there.

Anyone who has studied logistics knows that it can make or break a successful military campaign. Could you imagine having to make sure 100,000 soldiers had enough food and water every day? It’s almost miraculous if you think about it.

The Army was so impressed by Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus that they had the Army Core of Engineers study their practices in order to make our military more successful at their troop movements.

My thoughts and prayers go out to all those who lost their jobs because of the circus shutting down. A majority of these employees had unique skills sets that would be difficult to apply in the business world. Many also had a proud family legacy where previous generations were also circus performers so psychologically it had to be difficult for them to see it all end.

Any company lasting for 146 years is outstanding. There’s no doubt that as more entertainment venues became available the draw of circuses diminished. Could you imagine how excited people must have been to see a circus before radio and television came along? People would show up to cheer the circus as it came into town.
​

It’s hard to see them go. I realize that some people say that the only thing you can be assured of are death and taxes but I believe we should also add “change” to that list.
​​

Comments are closed.

    Author: John Mann

    Picture

    Archives

    April 2025
    March 2025
    February 2025
    January 2025
    December 2024
    November 2024
    October 2024
    September 2024
    August 2024
    July 2024
    June 2024
    May 2024
    April 2024
    March 2024
    February 2024
    January 2024
    December 2023
    November 2023
    October 2023
    September 2023
    August 2023
    July 2023
    June 2023
    May 2023
    April 2023
    March 2023
    February 2023
    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    August 2012
    July 2012
    June 2012
    May 2012
    April 2012
    March 2012
    February 2012

    RSS Feed

Proudly powered by Weebly