Twisting History: Lessons in Balloon Sculpting by Larry Moss (1995-10-01) - Softcover

Larry Moss

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0964849739 ISBN 13: 9780964849730

Publisher: Fooled Ya, 1995

Synopsis

Twisting History was written to answer the most common questions about balloon sculpting: 1. ``How can I learn to make funny things out of balloons?'' 2. ``Can you make anything besides dogs and cats?'' 3. ``How do balloon animals fit into the evolutionary history of the world?'' You will find in this book: 1. Step-by-step instructions for creating sculptures from balloons. These include common figures, as well as many new creations. 2. Ideas for using balloons to entertain audiences. 3. An illustrated, and perhaps slightly ``twisted,'' history of balloons and balloon animals. Endless possibilities exist for those that learn the art of balloon sculpting: 1. Impress your friends. 2. Embarrass your friends. 3. Get free food.

About this title

About the Author

Larry Moss was introduced to the performing arts at the age of 5 when his kindergarten teacher offered free violin lessons to students in his elementary school. His mother is fond of reminding him that she allowed him to get started because of these free lessons, and that some day she wants to be repaid for the millions of dollars it ended up costing her in music, instruments, and more lessons with other teachers. Larry, though never having done the math, thinks she has overestimated the amount a bit.

Around the same time he got his start in music, he had the opportunity to see magician Doug Henning on TV and decided then that magic was the direction he would eventually take. It wasn't until 10 years later, in 1985, that he was finally set on the right path when shortly before Halloween he had an idea. He was going to create a Halloween costume that ``worked.'' That is to say, he didn't want to dress up if he couldn't play the part. Several costumes came to mind, but at the urging of some friends he gave up his first notion of dressing up as an axe murderer, donned wizards' garb, and shamelessly launched fireballs throughout the day. He has been performing magic ever since.

Larry started juggling later when his younger, but much larger brother informed him that they were going to be juggling partners. Seth apparently intended to throw various objects at Larry whether he learned to juggle or not.

For reasons still beyond his comprehension, Larry mistakenly thought for many years that he wanted to be a mathematician. Upon completing college, Larry found himself in the unfortunate situation of having to work in a ``real'' job as a computer programmer. It was while working in labs with no windows, poor ventilation, and terrible radio reception that he realized he was in the wrong profession. It was the time he spent as a street performer in New York City, trying to earn enough money to pay college tuition, that he most enjoyed.

While street performing hasn't been a viable option where he now lives, he's found comfort in other performing venues including living rooms, restaurants, and stages. It is only in the last few years that Larry has fallen in love with balloon sculpting. A mere interest turned into an obsession and later a part of his act. Much to the embarrassment of some of his friends, even when not performing, he is never found without a pocket full of balloons.

Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.

For some time now I have been interested in the history of balloons and balloon sculpting. I never imagined it would be too difficult to discover the origin of this simple inflatable toy. I started my search with only one assumption: if I found out where balloons got their start I would find out more about the evolution of balloon sculpting. After all, I figured, as soon as someone inflated a balloon, someone else realized it was flexible enough to twist. This turned out to be an erroneous assumption. Balloon sculpting has only been around for a few decades, but balloons have been manufactured in the US since 1918, and probably even earlier in other parts of the world.

I've asked quite a few people about this. I've looked in every book on balloons that I could get my hands on. I've even called balloon manufacturers. No one seems to know anything about the invention of balloons. This leads me to one simple conclusion: balloons have been around longer than recorded history. In fact, I suspect even longer than most forms of animal life. After much consideration, I feel that I can put my theory of balloon evolution forward with a reasonable amount of confidence. It was the balloon that provided the ancestral link between the plant and animal kingdoms during the early stages of evolution, as balloon creatures spontaneously arose.

About this edition

• Publisher: Fooled Ya
• Publication date: 1995
• ISBN 10: 0964849739
• ISBN 13: 9780964849730
• Binding: Spiral-bound
• Number of pages: 107