

The Incredible Story of Martin Laurello, The Sideshow Performer With The Revolving Head
Nothing shone with more opportunity at the turn of the century than the United States. Many thousands of people came to America in search of a better life. With the popularity of sideshows and circuses, spectacle could be found everywhere, and people like Martin Laurello, who performed tricks for large audiences, could make a living.
Aside from featuring life-threatening acts like lion taming and sword swallowing, sideshows also featured disfigured individuals on stage for onlookers to marvel at.

Laurello earned the nickname “Human Owl” for turning his head 180 degrees in response to applause during the height of P.T. Barnum’s success, a time when the obscene was turned into profit.
Turning Into The “Human Owl”
Martin Laurello didn’t look like a sideshow “freak,” in contrast to most of his contemporaries; instead, up until he revealed his startling trick, he looked like any other citizen. That’s because he never forced his head to face backward; rather, he was born with the ability. He had to spend years training in order to become an expert in it.
When Martin Joe Laurello arrived in the United States in 1921, he went by Martin Emmerling, despite being born in Nuremberg, Germany, in 1885. It’s unclear if he chose the new name he had acquired or if immigration had given it to him, but his talent would soon be widely recognized.
Laurello stood out among the many Europeans who fled their homelands in pursuit of better opportunities, notoriety, or wealth. He had spent the better part of three years learning how to turn his head around to a maximum angle of 120 degrees, and he was happy to gain any extra inch that he could. As a result, he was in great demand for his abilities.

Laurello debuted his act at the Dreamland Circus Sideshow at Coney Island. Captain Jack Bonavita, the lion tamer, had lost an arm in the seaside theme park before. This is where Laurello gained notoriety—or, more accurately, the moniker “Human Owl.”
Laurello’s ability to sip beer with his head fully turned around was remarkable. Nevertheless, he was unable to breathe or smoke. The name “Bobby The Boy With The Revolving Head” was printed on the banner that went with his act. Sideshow performers, regardless of age, were referred to as “boys” or “girls” respectively.
Laurello also appeared in shows at the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus, although the performances had to move indoors during the winter. He was employed by strongman Charlie Felton, sword swallower Alex Linton, and Roy Heckler—who was in charge of a well-trained group of fleas—at Hubert’s Museum in New York.
The Martin Laurello Legacy

The Legacy Of Martin LaurelloLaurello was hired by the Ripley’s Believe It or Not! after years of touring cities like Philadelphia, Newark, and Paterson with Hubert’s dime museum! The Odditorium, circa 1930. “The only person in the world who can walk straight ahead and look straight behind” is how he was marketed.
Even though Laurello was a household name to any viewer who purchased a ticket, his personal life started to suffer. Alexander was the son of his marriage to Laura Precht, which ended in divorce, and he later entered into another unsuccessful marriage. Interestingly, it resulted in his apprehension while he was performing.
Laurello left his second wife Emilie Wittl and their two sons behind, never to be seen again. After Wittl filed a formal complaint with the police, on April 30, 1931, Baltimore police quickly arrested Laurello for spousal abandonment. He turned his head back and winked at the officers.
According to The New York Times, “he was looking right at his audience, standing on a platform with his back to the crowd.” He gave the two cops and the audience a wink. They winked back, took him into custody. The New York police were notified and he was placed under $500 bond.
The claims that he was a Nazi sympathizer were arguably the darkest stain on his legacy. He most likely saw Adolf Hitler’s subtle calls to fortify the country as encouraging since he had fled his devastated fatherland soon after World War I. In the end, Hitler was named 1938’s “Man of the Year” by TIME.
Related Articles
- The story of Lionel the Lion-Faced Man, Stephan Bibrowski
- Frank Lentini, The Three-Legged Sideshow Performer
- The Heartbreaking Story Of Ella Harper, The ‘Camel Girl’
According to his former coworker Percilla Bejano, “he was a Nazi.” “And he didn’t like the American flag. You meet all kinds on the sideshow — worse than me!”
In the end, not much is known about the last years of Laurello. His head was replicated and rotated in Times Square during the New York World’s Fair in 1939–1940. Three years prior to his heart attack death in 1952, he gave his final performance that was officially documented.
Some said that in order for him to fully turn his head, he had to “dislocate several vertebrae,” while others asserted that his spine was “twisted” from birth. Ultimately, that mystery will always remain unsolved due to a lack of x-rays. A challenge to those who wish to give it a try, Laurello once asserted that anyone could accomplish it with enough practice.

In Pakistan, this banyan tree has been arrested since 1898
In Pakistan, a tree has been arrested and chained since 1898. When a British officer who was drunk assumed it was leaving its place, it was arrested. The tree, which is presently located on the grounds of the Pakistan Army's Landi Kotal cantonment, continues to attract visitors and locals everywhere.

Chocolate Rain in Switzerland: How a Factory Malfunction Turned Olten Into a Sweet Spectacle
In 2020, chocolate 'rained' from the sky in a town in Switzerland. This incident was caused by a ventilation system malfunction at a chocolate factory in Olten. Strong winds then carried the snow-like cocoa powder and spread it around in the immediate vicinity of the factory, covering cars and other things in chocolate.

The true story of Josephine Myrtle Corbin, the lady born with four legs and two private parts
Josephine Myrtle Corbin, an American sideshow performer born in 1868, had a rare condition known as dipygus, which caused her to have four legs, each smaller inner leg paired with one of her outer legs. Corbin joined the sideshow circuit, captivating audiences as the "Four-Legged Girl from Texas."

Japan’s Chicken-Flavored Ice Cream: The Bold Fusion of Sweet Vanilla and Real Grilled Chicken
A Japanese company once created chicken-flavored ice cream using real grilled chicken bits mixed into vanilla. It combined sweet and savory in a way few dared try, but it drew curiosity from foodies seeking extreme culinary experiences.

Domestic Flight Delay Caused by Live Snake on Board Leaves Passengers in Shock
A domestic flight was unexpectedly delayed for nearly two hours after a snake was discovered slithering inside the plane’s cargo hold. Thanks to the swift efforts of a professional snake catcher and airline staff, the reptile was safely removed without any harm to passengers, turning a potentially alarming situation into a story of caution and calm.

The Bizarre (And Magical) Duel Between Chung Ling Soo And Ching Ling Foo
Ching Ling Foo and Chung Ling Soo were two magicians from the early 20th century who were bitter rivals. While Ching Ling Foo was genuinely Chinese, Chung Ling Soo was actually a New Yorker named William Robinson.

Max Headroom Incident: America’s Creepiest TV Hack
In 1987 a man hijacked a television station during an episode of Dr. Who and wore a Max Headroom mask and uttered nonsense, and he still hasn’t been caught

The story of Bill Haast, who lived to be 100 despite his extensive snake venom injections
Bill Haast immunized himself by injecting snake venom into his blood for several years. He holds the Guinness World Record for surviving the most lethal snake bites, having been bitten over 172 times. Bill became known as "Snake Man" around the world and lived for over 100 years.

In 1954, an Extraterrestrial Bruiser Shocked This Alabama Woman.
In the year 1954, a grapefruit sized meteorite crashed through the roof of a farm house in Alabama, bounced off a large wooden console radio and hit Ann Hodges while she was napping on her couch. This was the first confirmed case of a person to be hit by a meteorite.

Story of Peng Shuilin: Man with only half a body
We have a habit of whining in our daily lives. We never seem to be pleased with the things we have in life. "I want to be skinny," fat people say, "I want to be fat," slim people say. Poor people aspire to be wealthy, and wealthy people are never satisfied with their status. Everywhere we go, we're whining. Can you image how a man would want to live if he didn't have any legs or bums at all?

Brazilian gang leader attempts to escape from Rio de Janeiro prison by dressing up as his daughter
In 2019, a Brazilian gang leader tried to escape from prison by dressing up as his daughter when she visited him behind bars and walking out of the penitentiary's main door in her place.

How a Man Fooled Florida with Fake Penguin Tracks for 10 Years
In 1948, Florida’s Clearwater Beach was the stage for one of the longest-running and most peculiar hoaxes in American folklore. Giant three-toed footprints appeared mysteriously in the sand, sparking rumor and fascination about a 15-foot-tall penguin roaming the shores. For a decade, locals and visitors alike speculated and scanned for the elusive creature, never realizing the truth: these tracks were made by a man wearing 30-pound lead shoes designed to imitate an enormous penguin's footprint. This article uncovers the details of this elaborate prank and its lasting legacy in Florida’s cryptic history.

Upside-Down Fig Tree From The Roof Of An Ancient Ruin in Italy
There is an upside-down fig tree in Bacoli, Italy. No one is quite sure how the fig tree ended up there or how it survived, but year after year, it continues to grow downwards and bear figs.

Kim Peek: The Real Rain Man Who Memorized 12,000 Books
Kim Peek wasn’t just a man with an extraordinary memory—he was a megasavant whose astonishing ability to recall the contents of over 12,000 books inspired the iconic character Raymond Babbitt in the film Rain Man. Able to read two pages at once, scanning one with each eye, Peek could memorize an entire book in about an hour. Despite his phenomenal talents, he faced developmental challenges and lived a unique life that changed perceptions about human potential and cognitive diversity. This article explores the remarkable story of Kim Peek, his capabilities, and the legacy he left behind.

Khuk Khi Kai: Thailand’s Infamous “Chicken Poop Prison” and Its Gruesome Legacy
Thailand used to have a prison called "Khuk Khi Kai," or "Chicken poop prison." The first floor of the prison contained prisoners, and the second floor was a large chicken coop. The grated floor ensured that prisoners were constantly subjected to chicken poop.

The Miracle Baby: Nigerian Couple in the UK Welcomes a Rare Blonde, Blue-Eyed Child
A black, Nigerian couple living in the U.K. gave birth to a white, blonde, blue-eyed baby that they call the "miracle baby."

The Heartbreaking Story Of Ella Harper, The ‘Camel Girl’
Ella Harper, Professionally known as the “Camel Girl” was born with a rare orthopedic condition that cased her knee to bend backward. Due to this condition, had to walked on all four legs, which resulted in her nickname as “Camel Girl”. Tough it was hard at first, but soon she made a fortune out of it.

Pierre Brassau: The chimpanzee painter who deceived the avant-garde world
Abstract paintings by a previously unknown artist “Pierre Brassau” were exhibited at a gallery in Sweden, earning praise for his “powerful brushstrokes” and the “delicacy of a ballet dancer”. None knew that Pierre Brassau was actually a 4 year old chimp from the local zoo.

What Caused The Mysterious Patomskiy Crater in Siberia?
Discovered in 1949, the Patomskiy Crater resembles a huge convex cone with a funnel-shaped recess and a rounded hill in the middle, which looks like an eagle’s nest with an egg nestled inside it. The crater’s origin is a mystery that has baffled scientists for decades.

The “Walking” Palm, tree species can walk up to 65 feet each
This tree species can walk up to 65 feet each year to find the best habitat to live in.

Lucy and Maria The Biracial Twin Sisters with Rare Black and White Skin Colours
Lucy and Maria Aylmer are twins, but they have a hard time to convincing people. Even though they have mixed-raced parents, their mom was still shocked when the midwife handed her babies she’d expected to look alike, but were complete opposite.

Poland's Krzywy: The Mysteries of the Crooked trees
In Poland, there is a forest with 400 crooked trees that have a 90-degree bend at the base of their trunks. Despite of numerous possibilities, the real reason and how it evolved remain a mystery.

The story of Lionel the Lion-Faced Man, Stephan Bibrowski
Stephen Bibrowski, also known as Lionel the Lion-faced Man, was a well-known sideshow entertainer. His entire body was covered in long hair, giving him the appearance of a lion; this was most likely due to a rare condition known as hypertrichosis. Lionel traveled to the United States in 1901 and began performing with the Barnum and Bailey Circus.

A one-eyed Vancouver fish receives a fake eye so that other fish will not bully him
A fish whose eye was removed due to cataract was bullied by other fish at the Vancouver Aquarium. So the vets fitted the fish with a prosthetic eye to fool the other fishes.

Mystery SOLVED: blood Rain in India
The dissemination of spores of microalgae has been identified as the origin of the 'Blood Rain' phenomena, according to a new study by Indian and Austrian experts. Since 1896, reports of intermittent red-colored rain in portions of Kerala and Sri Lanka have been coming in. The most recent one occurred in 2013 over Kerala.