Phineas Taylor (P.T.) Barnum knew how to catch people's eye and make money. His unique museums and traveling shows made him famous. Also, he came up with the three-ring circus, which made circuses more exciting and impressive than ever before.
Barnum was born in Connecticut in 1810 and was named after his grandfather. His father ran an inn1, store, and tailor2 shop while his mother cared for the children. His father died when Barnum was 15 and left the family with nothing.
After his father's death, Barnum used his impressive math skills as a shopkeeper. During that time, he learned how to bargain and how to persuade customers. He was also involved in the lottery3, which was creating excitement across the US. At 19, Barnum married Charity Hallett, and they had four daughters together. At 22, Barnum was locked up for publishing his liberal4 beliefs in the newspaper he started. His interest in politics5 continued throughout his life.
When Barnum looked back on his youth, he admitted that he never liked hard work. Instead, he was more interested in trying to make money from having fun.
費尼爾司•泰勒•巴納姆不但清楚該如何吸引眾人目光，也知道怎麼賺錢。他那獨特的博物館和巡迴演出使他聲名大噪。此外，他還想出了三環馬戲團，這使得馬戲團表演比以前都還要來得更精采刺激（編按：三環馬戲團有三個小舞台，上頭有三種不同表演同時進行著）。
巴納姆於1810年出生在康乃狄克州，並以其祖父之名為名。他父親經營小旅館、商店和裁縫店等生意，母親則照顧小孩。巴納姆十五歲時，他的父親不幸過世，而且絲毫沒有留下分文給家人。
在他父親過世後，擔任店主的巴納姆活用他那令人讚嘆的數學能力。在那段期間，他學會了如何講價和說服客人。他也參與了彩券買賣，這種遊戲當時在全美國引起轟動。巴納姆十九歲時和雀若蒂•海蕾特結為連理，他們一同生下了四個女兒。巴納姆二十二歲時，因為在他辦的報紙上發表主張改革的思想而鋃鐺入獄。他終其一生都對政治抱有興趣。
當巴納姆回顧起年少歲月時，他坦承自己從不喜歡辛苦的工作。他反而對試圖從玩樂中賺錢更感興趣。 |
沒有留言:
張貼留言