Michael Jackson’s “Anti Gravity” Shoe Patent
Fascinating patent by Michael Jackson (and his co‑inventors) for a special shoe system that enabled his signature forward‑lean move.
1. Patent overview
- The patent is US 5,255,452 A, titled “Method and means for creating anti‑gravity illusion” granted: October 26, 1993 to Michael J. Jackson, Michael L. Bush, Dennis Tompkins.
2. What the invention is / how it works
“A system for allowing a shoe wearer to lean forwardly beyond his or her centre of gravity by virtue of wearing a specially designed pair of shoes which will engage with a hitch member movably projectable through a stage surface.”
Key mechanical elements:
- The shoe includes a heel slot or recess (a specially cut slot in the heel region) that allows the heel of the shoe to engage a hitch.
- The stage floor has a hitch member (a peg or rod) that can project upward through the stage surface at the correct moment. The heel of the shoe slides onto this hitch
- Once engaged, the performer wearing the shoe is anchored via the heel/hitch connection, so they can lean forward past the usual limits of balance (i.e., past their centre of gravity) without falling.
- The description also mentions that the heel slot is narrower at the terminal end and wider at the opening, so the heel can slide in and lock.
To understand in simpler terms: The shoe and stage system provide an invisible anchor point so the dancer can lean far forward, giving the illusion of defying gravity, while actually being mechanically supported.
3. Why it mattered in performance
- This mechanism helped Michael Jackson to perform the famous forward lean (around 45°) which is physically extremely difficult for a human body to perform unaided.
- The invention allowed the effect to be performed consistently in live shows (with the right stage setup) rather than relying solely on camera tricks or wires.
- By securing the heel to the stage via the hitch, the dancer could safely lean while keeping feet flat and rigid, making the illusion of “anti‑gravity” more convincing.
4. Some additional details / interesting facts
- The patent shows detailed drawings of the shoe, the heel slot, the hitch mechanism, and different perspectives of the dancer leaning forward.
- According to sources, the move still requires considerable physical strength (ankles, core, leg muscles) even with the mechanical support.
- The broader public became more aware of this patented technology through articles, tech blogs, and media fact‑checks
Source – USPTO, Wikipedia, IPINDIA, Swarupa Ghosh (Patent Attorney), High Court (Calcutta)