Episode 680 - Pole Sitting

Podcast Title: The Dollop with Dave Anthony and Gareth Reynolds
Hosts: Dave Anthony and Gareth Reynolds
Release Date: April 22, 2025
Description: Comedians Dave Anthony and Gareth Reynolds pick a subject from history and examine it.

Introduction

In Episode 680 of The Dollop, Dave Anthony and Gareth Reynolds explore the quirky and obscure historical fad of pole sitting in America. The hosts navigate through the rise and fall of this peculiar pastime, highlighting notable figures, societal impacts, and the eventual decline of pole sitting as a popular trend.

The Origins of Pole Sitting

Aloysius Anthony Kelly: The Pioneer

The story begins with Aloysius Anthony Kelly, born in Hell's Kitchen, New York, in 1893. Tragically, Kelly's mother died during childbirth, leading to his upbringing by a family friend after his father, a rigger who worked on the Brooklyn Bridge, passed away before Kelly's birth.

Dave Anthony [06:21]: "I killed my mom."

From a young age, Kelly exhibited rebellious behavior, including climbing poles to escape disciplinary actions. At 13, dissatisfied with his adopted family's environment, he ran away, adopting the name Alvin Kelly to forge his own path.

Gareth Reynolds [08:22]: "If you're gonna hit. If you're gonna hit the streets, pick the worst name possible. Pick the dorkiest."

Transition to High-Risk Jobs

Alvin Kelly's adventurous spirit led him to a series of high-risk occupations: steelworker, steeplejack, high diver, boxer, and ultimately, a stunt pilot performing aerial stunts. His daring exploits positioned him as a fearless individual, untethered by conventional societal norms.

Dave Anthony [09:40]: "He's not a coward. Let's just."

The Rise of Pole Sitting

The Breakthrough: Publicity Stunt

In January 1924, Kelly was hired by a local movie theater to climb and sit atop a tall pole as a publicity stunt for an upcoming film. Demonstrating remarkable endurance, Kelly remained perched for 13 hours and 13 minutes, astonishing onlookers and garnering significant media attention.

Dave Anthony [12:29]: "He's just sitting on a pole. He is up there for 13 hours and 13 minutes."

This stunt marked the beginning of pole sitting as a popular attraction, inspiring similar acts across the nation. Businesses quickly recognized the potential of pole sitting to drive foot traffic and enhance their public image.

Gareth Reynolds [12:35]: "People are amazed. Like, they can't believe this guy's sitting on a pole."

Monetization and Media Sensation

Kelly's pole sitting ventures evolved into lucrative engagements. Charging upwards of $2,500 (equivalent to approximately $46,000 today) for extended stints, Kelly performed at various venues, including amusement parks, county fairs, and storefront openings. His ability to balance on a pole while engaging in mundane activities like shaving and eating made him a media darling.

Dave Anthony [14:37]: "Alvin is spending days a week up a pole. He refused to eat solid food while on the pole."

The Competitive Craze

Record-Breaking Enthusiasm

Kelly's success spawned a competitive frenzy, with individuals striving to surpass his pole sitting records. Notable competitors included:

• Bobby Mack: In September 1927, Bobby Mack set a new record by pole sitting for 21 days, earning substantial rewards and media coverage.

  Dave Anthony [39:36]: "She had, from a human perspective. It is, I think one of the first people things people think of is what did they do with the poop?"

• Clifford Stevenson: Shortly after Mack's feat, Stevenson broke the record by sitting atop a pole for 17 days and two hours.

  Dave Anthony [46:57]: "But it doesn't count. She's not a man."

These competitions transformed pole sitting into a nationwide phenomenon, complete with dedicated managers, sponsorships, and even masked performers adding an air of mystery to the stunts.

Gareth Reynolds [44:05]: "I think we got a new Patreon tier."

The Phantom of the Flagpole

Adding intrigue to the craze was "The Phantom of the Flagpole," a masked pole sitter who engaged in unusual activities like smoking 100 cigarettes and consuming copious amounts of coffee, all while maintaining anonymity.

Dave Anthony [48:45]: "He was like a guy on a deadline. He's like. He's like a reporter trying to bang out the story."

This character elevated pole sitting from simple endurance to a theatrical spectacle, further fueling public interest and imitation.

The Surge of Youth Participation

Children Embrace Pole Sitting

The trend extended beyond adults, with children modeling themselves after the adult pole sitters. Youngsters aged 10 to 15 began taking to poles in various cities, often accompanied by supportive parents. This burgeoning youth participation raised ethical concerns regarding safety and exploitation.

Gareth Reynolds [62:00]: "Please, please, please, sir, please."

Community and Commercial Involvement

Local businesses and community leaders embraced pole sitting as a means to attract crowds. Donation boxes were often placed at the base of poles, and prizes for sustained sitting included items like golf clubs, lucky stones, and other novelty rewards.

Dave Anthony [57:03]: "It's been. It's been in the forest, but also near."

However, the influx of young pole sitters led to overcrowded poles, posing significant safety risks and prompting municipal interventions.

Decline and Saturation

The Great Depression's Impact

The onset of the Great Depression shifted public focus away from frivolous stunts to more pressing economic concerns. The economic downturn diminished the financial viability of pole sitting, and public interest waned as people sought more meaningful forms of entertainment.

Gareth Reynolds [85:26]: "If that Blue Orbit space mission had just gone a little more south, that would have been a nice release for society, man."

Safety Concerns and Legislation

Increasing accidents, including falls and injuries, heightened concerns about the safety of pole sitting. Governments began imposing regulations, requiring permits for pole sitters and, in some cases, outright bans on the activity to prevent fatalities and legal liabilities.

Dave Anthony [83:49]: "City inspectors were sent to test the safety of poles all around the city in case kids climb them."

Media Fatigue and Oversaturation

As the number of pole sitters multiplied, media coverage became oversaturated, leading to public fatigue. The novelty that once captivated audiences lost its appeal, and pole sitting was increasingly viewed as a dated and dangerous trend.

Dave Anthony [88:45]: "But it never came back to the way it was."

Conclusion

Pole sitting serves as a fascinating example of how a simple publicity stunt can evolve into a widespread cultural phenomenon. From Kelly's daring climbs to the competitive records and youth participation, pole sitting encapsulated a unique period in American history where endurance and spectacle intersected in unexpected ways. However, socioeconomic shifts and safety concerns ultimately led to the decline of this once-popular pastime.

Gareth Reynolds [88:52]: "That's right. Sources Los Angeles Evening Express, the Sport in Adelaide, the Reading Times,... all these are through newspapers.com, thegrunge.com mentalfloss.com, sevenday adventure.com 1947 project.com the gazette.com old magazines.com I never like doing mental floss because they just never put up their sources. They don't list their sources, but whatever."

The episode underscores the ephemeral nature of social trends and the role of media in sensationalizing and subsequently saturating public interest.

Notable Quotes:

• Dave Anthony [07:01]: "Wow. That's nuts. That's crazy. That's horrible."
• Gareth Reynolds [15:46]: "That's a little cheat to me. That's not as good. I like the traditional one where, you know, a guy's slowly bruising his anus."
• Dave Anthony [35:29]: "Yeah, People are doing it all over the place and the press is eating it up."
• Gareth Reynolds [63:02]: "I know what direction do you want to go in?"

Timestamps Highlighting Key Moments:

• [06:21]: Introduction of Aloysius Anthony Kelly and his tragic beginnings.
• [12:29]: Kelly's first major pole sitting stunt.
• [14:37]: Kelly's transition to monetized pole sitting.
• [46:57]: Clifford Stevenson breaks Kelly's pole sitting record.
• [62:00]: Rise of youth participation in pole sitting.
• [83:49]: Municipal responses to safety concerns.
• [88:45]: The decline of pole sitting's popularity.

This summary encapsulates the comprehensive discussion between Dave and Gareth, providing an engaging overview of pole sitting's historical significance, societal impact, and eventual decline.