Pictures of jugglers appear on pyramids in Egypt (that is over 4000 years old!)

Jugglers entertained noblemen during the Middle Ages and Renaissance

Current World Record: 12 beanbags for 12 catches by Bruce Sarafian in 1996

This prop was made popular by W.C. Fields - an early movie star

Vaudeville performers were the first to use cigar boxes to entertain audiences

Current World Record: 211 boxes balanced for 9 seconds

Diabolo combines the Greek words dia: across & bollo: to toss or throw

Invented in China and sometimes called a Chinese Yo Yo

Current World Record: 5 diabolos with one string

Kendama combines the Japanese words ken: stick & tama: ball

Similar toys around the world include balero (S. America) and bilboquet (France)

Current World Record: 70,000 moshikame (tossing ball cup to cup) by Yusuke Ito

Spinning Plates were a popular act during Vaudeville (1880's-1920's)

Chinese circus acts combine plate spinning with acrobatics

Current World Record: 108 spinning plates at once by David Spathaky

Marco Polo, a European explorer, brought the toy from China to Europe

The 'flower' at each end slows the spin and makes cooler tricks possible

A popular trick is the propeller where the center stick is spun on 1 hand stick