30 years ago today, the daredevil John Vincent scaled the Gateway Arch using suction cups starting at 3 a.m. He wasn’t spotted by anyone until he got to the top at 7 a.m Where two radio traffic reporters saw John BASE jump from the top.

This post was contributed by Ross Malone. A historian and a retired school teacher, Ross has authored many books about Missouri’s history, weird facts, and folk tales. He has also written children’s historical fiction. Visit his website, and buy his books in the Missouri Life store.