The Secret Behind Michael Jackson’s Impossible Lean: Patented Gravity-Defying Shoes
When Michael Jackson performed his legendary Smooth Criminal lean—bending forward at an impossible 45-degree angle with his feet flat on the floor—audiences were left speechless. It looked superhuman, almost magical. How could someone bend so far forward without tipping over?
The answer is one of the most surprising facts in pop culture history: Michael Jackson patented a pair of custom-designed shoes to pull off the move in live performances. Yes, the King of Pop wasn’t just revolutionizing music and dance—he was inventing.
Michael Jackson: The Origin of the Lean
In the 1988 music video for ‘Smooth Criminal’, Jackson and his dancers pulled off the gravity-defying lean with the help of wires and harnesses, carefully hidden from the camera. The visual trick gave the illusion of breaking the laws of physics, and it became an instant icon of Jackson’s theatrical style.
But Jackson didn’t stop at film illusions. He wanted to bring that same move to the live stage, without wires, without tricks visible to the audience. To do that, he needed a mechanical solution—and he got it.
The Invention: U.S. Patent No. 5,255,452
On October 26, 1993, Michael Jackson and his co-inventors—Michael Bush and Dennis Tompkins—were granted a U.S. patent for a device titled: ‘Method and Means for Creating Anti-Gravity Illusion.’
The invention was a specially designed pair of shoes with a V-shaped slot in the heel. The stage floor, during live performances, would have a locking peg that could be raised at the right moment. When Jackson stepped over the peg and slid his heel into the slot, his shoes became anchored to the stage.
This allowed him to lean far beyond the natural limits of human balance while keeping his body rigid and feet planted flat on the floor—just like in the video. Once the move was complete, the peg would lower, and he could continue performing freely.
It Wasn’t Just the Shoes
While the shoes played a crucial role in the illusion, it’s important to note that the lean still required intense physical control and training. The core strength, ankle stability, and timing needed to execute the move cleanly were no joke. Even with the support of the shoe-patent system, not every dancer could do it.
Jackson combined technology with performance mastery—one of the many reasons his live shows were considered far ahead of their time.
Why a Patent?
Most pop stars don’t file patents. But Michael Jackson wasn’t like most pop stars. His performances were tightly choreographed, full of theatrical magic, and carefully guarded from imitation. By patenting the shoe system, Jackson not only protected his creative property but also secured exclusive use of one of his most iconic moves.
The patent also demonstrates Jackson’s role not just as a performer, but as a problem-solver and innovator. He treated performance as a complete experience—visual, technical, and emotional.
Legacy of the Anti-Gravity Shoes by Michael Jackson
Today, the anti-gravity lean remains one of the most recognized dance illusions in music history. The shoes themselves have become part of Jackson’s broader legacy of innovation. Replicas of the patented footwear have been displayed in exhibitions and studied in entertainment tech circles as a rare example of intellectual property in performance art.
The original patent expired in 2005 due to non-payment of maintenance fees, but by then, the move had already been cemented into pop culture history.
Michael Jackson’s ‘Smooth Criminal’ lean wasn’t just the result of choreography—it was the product of engineering, imagination, and precision. He literally reinvented the stage from the ground up, patenting a method that allowed him to appear superhuman while staying grounded—literally and figuratively.
So the next time you see that unforgettable lean, remember: it took a brilliant mind, a bold vision, and a pair of custom-patented shoes to make it look that smooth.
Also Read: The Myth of Icarus: A Cautionary Tale or a Celebration of Ambition?
–Silviya.Y
