Philippe Petit World Trade Center walk (nonfiction)

Philippe Petit at the 81st Academy Awards in February 2009.

French high-wire artist Philippe Petit (French pronunciation: ​[filip pəti]; born 13 August 1949) gained fame for his high-wire walk between the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center in New York City, on the morning of August 7, 1974.

For his unauthorized feat 1,350 feet (400 metres) above the ground – which he referred to as "le coup" – he rigged a 450-pound (200-kilogram) cable and used a custom-made 26-foot (8-metre) long, 55-pound (25-kilogram) balancing pole.

He performed for 45 minutes, making eight passes along the wire.

All charges were dismissed in exchange for Petit doing a performance in Central Park for children.

Nonfiction cross-reference

External links:

• Philippe Petit @ Wikipedia