the human fly

The Human Fly

George Gibson Polley was an American pioneer of (the then-unnamed act of) buildering, or climbing the walls of tall buildings, earning him the nickname "the human fly".

According to himself, he began his climbing career in 1910 when an owner of a clothing store promised him a suit if he would climb to the roof of the building. He succeeded.

Over his career Polley climbed over 2000 buildings. On Jan 9, 1920 he climbed the Woolworth building but was arrested, just when he reached the 30th floor and had 27 floors to go, for climbing without official permission. He also climbed 500 ft up the Custom House Tower in Boston. He would often spice up his performance by pretending to slip and fall from one windowsill to another.

"The Human Fly" George Polley, 27, is a lightweight wrestler who became famous by climbing buildings. After he was arrested whilst climbing, he decided to call it quits, and began using his unique skills to fight for money, climbing to places his opponent couldn’t get to, and then jumping on them when they finally gave up trying to get to him. He came down to Mississippi when he heard of a "professional" fighting league."

George Polley died at the age of 29 due to a brain tumor.