Did you know that Michael Jackson used extremely special, patented shoes during his Smooth Criminal performance? His shoe, along with the performers, has a v-shaped notch on the heel part of the shoe. The shoe and Michael Jackson’s weight, is held stable by steel pegs that are not seen by the public. Notice how the performer on the right, in the video below, had a hard time disengaging his right shoe from the floor.

I actually thought they really had the ability to lean forward that much! Until today, of course.

The patent can be viewed here and includes detailed illustrations of the heel of the shoe that Michael Jackson used for his very Smooth Criminal performances.

R.I.P Michael Jackson.

Abstract
A system for allowing a shoe wearer to lean forwardly beyond his center of gravity by virtue of wearing a specially designed pair of shoes which will engage with a hitch member movably projectable through a stage surface. The shoes have a specially designed heel slot which can be detachably engaged with the hitch member by simply sliding the shoe wearer’s foot forward, thereby engaging with the hitch member.

[via CrunchGear]