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I think probably every person on the planet knows that Michael Jackson, who was indisputably a man of both many talents and many flaws, passed away yesterday at 50 from a heart attack.
Of interest to me though & perhaps unbenownst to most, Jackson--a prodigy, popstar, recluse, an extraordinary dancer and indubitably damaged crazy-person--was also a patent-holder on an innovative stage/shoe-interface design, which he developed with co-inventors Michael L. Bush and Dennis Tompkins. The invention allowed him and his dance troupe to perform the gravity-defying leaning-stance dance moves featured around 7:19 in the "Smooth Criminal" video.
Apertures in the shoes' heels interfaced with pegs in the stage floor, which raised into position for the leaning move and dropped back again afterward to restore a seamless floor surface. You can peruse the entire patent, complete with illustrative diagrams on its construction and use, here on Google. I cropped some of the diagrams though behind this cut:
( illustrations )
I mean, i'm not saying MJ was out in the shop machining parts for these or soling footwear or anything, but nevertheless, his contribution to the conception and execution was essential, and thus, whatever else you might have to say about his oddities and transgressions of the past decade-plus, i salute him for his many talents across a range of arts disciplines, including my own. Great idea executed to great effect.
Requiescat, Jacko.
Of interest to me though & perhaps unbenownst to most, Jackson--a prodigy, popstar, recluse, an extraordinary dancer and indubitably damaged crazy-person--was also a patent-holder on an innovative stage/shoe-interface design, which he developed with co-inventors Michael L. Bush and Dennis Tompkins. The invention allowed him and his dance troupe to perform the gravity-defying leaning-stance dance moves featured around 7:19 in the "Smooth Criminal" video.
Apertures in the shoes' heels interfaced with pegs in the stage floor, which raised into position for the leaning move and dropped back again afterward to restore a seamless floor surface. You can peruse the entire patent, complete with illustrative diagrams on its construction and use, here on Google. I cropped some of the diagrams though behind this cut:
( illustrations )
I mean, i'm not saying MJ was out in the shop machining parts for these or soling footwear or anything, but nevertheless, his contribution to the conception and execution was essential, and thus, whatever else you might have to say about his oddities and transgressions of the past decade-plus, i salute him for his many talents across a range of arts disciplines, including my own. Great idea executed to great effect.
Requiescat, Jacko.
