We all know P.T. Barnum as a businessman and a great showman. However, there are some unique facts about him that may have you scratching your head or put you in awe and shock. Here are 5 unique facts about Barnum.
He Marched 21 Elephants and 17 Camels Across the Brooklyn Bridge
The bridge’s owners were hesitant at first to allow Barnum to parade his animals across the bridge. However, they came to their senses that it would be a good cross-marketing idea. On May 17, 1884, Barnum walked his elephants and camels across the bridge. It not only was great advertising for Barnum’s circus, but it made people more comfortable with the bridge’s strength to carry cars and pedestrians across.
He Opened the First Aquarium
People became more interested in Barnum’s wonders. Barnum’s American Museum became a popular destination in New York City because of the unusual and variety of attractions. In fact, they even had a white whale in a huge tank. The aquarium opened in 1857.
He Helped Popularize Opera in the United States
In 1850, he hired European opera singer Jenny Lind for a United States tour. She performed in a few major cities. She became popular due to her generous nature (she gave most of her earnings to charity). The ploy worked in Barnum’s favor and he made quite a bit of dough from her performances ( to the tune of $700,000).
He Didn’t Have Good Luck with Fire
On five separate occasions, a fire destroyed his accomplishments from his homes to his museums. Talk about letting it burn.
He Went Bankrupt at 46
After making a bad business move by trying to create a city in the middle of farmland in East Bridgeport, CT, he went bankrupt for 5 years. Luckily, he was able to get debt-free by 1860 after giving lectures about making money and his speeches on the temperance movement.
