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Jackson's Legendary Lean: It's Patented

By Harry Kimball,  Newser Staff

Posted Jun 27, 2009 6:36 PM CDT

(Newser) – When Michael Jackson and his dancers leaned over at a gravity-defying angle for the “Smooth Criminal” music video, it was pretty cool. When he replicated the stunt for his live show, fans were flabbergasted. And MJ apparently thought the trick was worth protecting, ABC News reports: In 1992, he and two other inventors filed for a patent on it.

The trick? Each heel had a hole in it. When he wanted to tilt, a peg would rise from the stage, fill the hole, and let him lean about 45 degrees without falling. When he was straight again, the peg would contract back into the stage floor. The application notes that previous methods using wires were clumsy and couldn’t be used live. “Music entertainers and dancers are constantly searching for new and interesting elements,” the patent reads.

Michael Jackson in 1989.
Michael Jackson in 1989.   (AP Photo)
An illustration from the patent application.
An illustration from the patent application.   (US Patent Office)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
The video for "Smooth Criminal."   (YouTube)
A live performance of "Smooth Criminal."   (YouTube)

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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 8 comments
DeniseVB
Jun 28, 2009 12:07 PM CDT
I forgot how amazing his videos were, thanks for the blast from the past :)
brawne
Jun 28, 2009 5:11 AM CDT
Only the pain. You can't ever fake the pain.
Mad
Jun 28, 2009 4:59 AM CDT
More evidence, nothing about MJ was real

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