In 1919, Alfred, Charles, John, Al and Otto Ringling decided to merge their up and coming circus with the Barnum and Bailey troupe. The rest is history, and with each group already on the up and up, the powerhouse merger shot Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey to the top of the circus game, (despite their lengthy name). 

Today, a Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey show is an insane viewing experience, but back before safety and ethics were a thing, they were even wilder! Here are 20 early photos of the Ringling Bros and their crazy circus.