User:Lexicraven/Jean Lussier

Jean Lussier- Research

Early Life


 * Full name Joseph Albert Lussier, commonly known as Jean.
 * Born in Concord New Hampshire but moved to Quebec at a young age and lived there until he was 16
 * Came back to the U.S. to be fluent in English
 * Lived in Springfield Massachusetts before moving to Niagara Falls
 * Previously a machinist
 * Parents were French Canadian
 * Worked as a salesman and i a grocery store in Springfield Massachusetts

The Ball


 * The death of daredevil Charles Stephens motivated Lussier and was the reason he went to Niagara Falls.
 * He took this vacation to learn more about Stephen’s ride over the falls that lead to his death. (this sparked his interest in jumping the falls himself)
 * Invested his life savings of $7,000 on creating the ball at 36 years old.
 * He went to Akron, Ohio with his design in mind to have his idea developed by a rubber company.


 * Built and designed a 6ft rubber ball, 182cm in diameter, that was lined with 32 oxygen tubes (for shock protection) and inner and outer steel bands to maintain the shape of the ball. There was empty space in the center for his body, along with an air cushion. There was 150lbs of stabilizer which was made out of hard rubber, this was to protect the ball from flipping head to bottom. There was also a valve system used to deliver air from oxygen tanks (with enough oxygen for 40hrs of breathing in case he was somehow trapped).
 * The ball would inflate when the valves filled with air.

The Stunt


 * July 4th 1928 (day of the stunt) Lussier was able to row his ball to the middle of the Niagara River by eluding police officers.
 * He went about 3.2km upstream Horseshoe Falls and then the ball was cut free traveling towards the falls.
 * Before the ball reached the falls, the 150lb stabilizer detached.
 * During the fall 3 tubes broke damaging the ball
 * The ball went over Horseshoe Falls at 3:35p.m. and was picked up at 4:23 and taken to land by the Maid of the Mist boat.
 * Previous daredevils had only gone over in wooden barrels, making Lussier the first  person to use an inflatable rubber ball. (another one of his claim to fames)
 * The impact of the jump left Lussier with only minor injuries and bruising despite the damage sustained by the ball.

Later Life


 * The outer exterior of the ball is held at the Daredevil Museum in Niagara Falls
 * Lussier moved to Niagara Falls
 * He capitalized on his fame by selling pieces of the ball to tourists for 50 cents a piece.
 * After running out of pieces of the ball, he began using pieces of tires.
 * At 61 years old (1952) Lussier wanted to become the only person to go over both major Niagara Falls.
 * He began constructing plans for his second stunt to go over the American Falls in a more complex, larger rubber ball.
 * This ball would weigh 550lbs (including Lussier) and be 356cm in diameter.
 * In order to stay upright all the time, the ball would be set on roller bearings. It would contain a radio and air supply for up to 48hrs. There would be three layers of rubber, aluminum and cork along with braces.
 * These dreams never happened, he retired at the age of 67 in 1958
 * He passed away due to a heart attack at the age of 80 in 1971 while living in a senior citizen high rise

http://www.sideshowworld.com/105-Daredevils/Joseph/Jean-Lussier.html

https://www.niagarafallsinfo.com/niagara-falls-history/niagara-falls-tourism-history/daredevils-of-niagara-falls/jean-lussier/

http://www.infoniagara.com/niagaradaredevils/jeanlussier.aspx

https://adventure.howstuffworks.com/survival/wilderness/niagara8.htm

http://www.rarenewspapers.com/view/641405