depend on who you ask , clowns are either harmless merriment or the stuff of nightmares . But no issue where your opinion falls , there ’s a flock going on beneath the face paint of this surprisingly old profession . There ’s even a story behind the iconic red nozzle : It can betraced to a fellow member of the Fratellini familynamed Albert , who originated the Auguste clown pilot — complete with the human race entry of the hopeful red clown nose . Now make like a buffoon car and stuff as many of these fact in your headway as you may .
1. THERE REALLY ARE A LOT OF CLOWNS IN CLOWN CARS.
It ’s tempting to guess the merry andrew car gag is an magic , but accord to Greg DeSanto , executive director of the International Clown Hall of Fame and Research Center , “ There ’s no trick to the clown - railway car gag . ” HetoldCar and Driverthat “ there are no hole doors in sports stadium floors , and the cars are real car . ” Instead , the railcar is gutted of its interior , and all windows are painted over except for a eyehole for the driver , who sits on a milk crate . " Then , " DeSanto said , " it ’s a matter of stuff in the clowns . ” A heavyset railcar can go between 14 and 21 clowns .
2. YOU CAN ATTEND GRIMALDI’S FUNERAL—AND DANCE ON HIS GRAVE.
Joseph Grimaldi
was one of the world’sfirst circus clowns , and he made his handsome mark on the profession in 1806 with his rogue - meet - fool clown character . Pantomime clown — a.k.a . Joeys — get their clown makeup from him . Grimaldi ’s work is honored by his present - day compeer every class on the first Sunday of February at theHoly Trinity Churchin London . you’re able to lionise one of history ’s greatest clowns , too , by heading to north London , where creative person Henry Krokatsis instal melodious tiles over his tomb . Tap your feetto run " Hot Codlins , " a tune Grimaldi was know for .
3. THE CREEPY CLOWN FAD HAS BEEN AROUND SINCE THE ’80s.
Mysterious clown run - ins presently abound , but this is n’t the first fourth dimension citizenry have used clown costumes to scare their biotic community . In 1981 , there were report of mendressing as clownsand harassing school nipper in Boston . Later that spring , Kansas City kids reported being chased by clowns . Sightings have down up in the news sporadically ever since . The World Clown Association has had to contend with their profession being besmirched by these turkey , andthey’re not happy about it .
4. CLOWNS MUST FOLLOW THE EIGHT CLOWN COMMANDMENTS.
Being a merry andrew is no laughing matter , and Clowns of America International asks professionals to come theClown Commandments . They admit " remember[ing ] that a good clown entertains others by attain playfulness of himself or herself and not at the expense or plethora of others , " promising not to smoke or drink when in make-up or costume , and to " bump off my makeup and modify into my street clothes as before long as potential follow my visual aspect , so that I can not be associated with any incident that may be detrimental to the good name of clowning . "
5. THERE’S CURRENTLY A CLOWN SHORTAGE.
With standards rising for clowning , and its popularity amongst millennials flow , clown just is n’t what it used to be . The World Clown Association , the res publica ’s largest clown trade group , saysmembership is down about 28 percentsince 2004 . A lifetime vocation as a clown can also be daunting due to humbled salary and baffling competition . In 2013 , Ringling Brothers only had 26 goofball in its three circuses .
6. CLOWNING WAS ONCE CONSIDERED A FEMINIST ACT.
In 1895,The New York Timesdubbed Evetta Mathews “ the only lady clown on earth . ” The newspaper was being inflated ( lady clowns Amelia Butler and Irene Jewell Newton were Mathews ’s predecessor ) , but , as a female goofball , the 25 - year - old was a rare sight for her meter , and her clowning was framed as an example of fair sex ’s emancipation . Mathews herself said that despite her circus family disapproving , she feel like she had take her heavy top career well . Being a clown meant few probability of being injured and more opportunities to write her own skit .
7. YOU CAN VISIT A CLOWN MOTEL NEXT TO A GRAVEYARD.
Wayne Stadler , Flickr//CC BY - NC - ND 2.0
If you happen to roll into the lilliputian townsfolk of Tonopah , Nevada and prefer your motels on the spooky side , train into the Clown Motelfor the night . A desert haven made of utter incubus fuel , you ’ll findclown dame and figure everywhereyou turn . Do n’t forget to bask the opinion while you ’re there , either : This motel is right next door to an early-1900s burial site .
All images courtesy of iStock unless noted otherwise
