Who knew? Michael Jackson held a registered patent for anti-gravity footwear. Do you remember his incredible dance moves from the “Smooth Criminal” video when he would lean forward at extreme angles without falling? Turns out his magic moves were assisted by his anti-gravity shoes as patented in United States Patent Reg. No. 5,255,452 for a “Method and Means for Creating Anti-Gravity Illusion.”
Method and means for creating anti-gravity illusion Michael J. Jackson et al: "
In the actual video of Smooth Criminal, his dancers had to be restrained with harnesses in order to achieve the nearly 45-degree angle lean. But for live performances, Michael didn’t want the visibility of harness. So presto, his inventive mind along with co-inventors Michael Bush and Dennis Tompkins came up with the patent which would allow the shoe to lock and release into a hook on the stage to create the great effect.
