Flag pole sitters
Logan Erickson
Flagpole-sitting was a fad in the early 20th century. The fad was begun by stunt actor and former sailor who sat on a flagpole, either on a dare by a friend, or as a publicity stunt.
Shipwreck's initial 1924 sit lasted 13 hours and 13 minutes. It soon became a fad with other contestants setting records of 12, 17 and 21 days. In 1929, Shipwreck decided to reclaim the title. He sat on a flagpole for 49 days in Atlantic City, New Jersey, setting a new record. The following year, 1930, his record was broken by Bill Penfield who sat on a flag pole for 51 days and 20 hours, until a thunderstorm forced him down. From 1933 to 1963 Richard Blandy claimed various records as champion at 77, 78 and 125 days until he died in 1974 when his pole was snapped in half . For the most part, pole
sitting died out after 1929.