Arzeno Eugene Selden (1889-1951), better known as the "Stratosphere Man," was a pioneering high wire performer and trapeze artist. His introduction to the world of circus arts began in his father's barn in Eagle, Michigan. Born with a natural inclination for acrobatics, Selden initially experimented with hay ropes, trying to emulate the acts he witnessed at the circus.

His career officially began in 1907 when he secured his first job with a small carnival, showcasing his contortion and acrobatic skills. Over the years, he honed his craft on the trapeze and learned from fellow performers. In 1908, Selden joined the Great Lugar shows based in Ohio, captivating audiences with acts that included bending backward through a 15-inch ring and sitting on his head.

The summer of 1910 marked his first journey through the West, initially as a member of a wagon show, and later joining a train show out of Wisconsin in 1911. In 1912, Selden embarked on a venture with a boat show on the Mississippi River. This involved performing trapeze acts over scows towed behind the boat.

During World War I, he served as a mechanical engineer overseas for two and a half years. Upon his return to the United States, he and his wife launched "Selden's Big City Show," making him, at 24 years old, the youngest owner of a motorized tent show. For six years, with a troupe of thirty performers, they toured Michigan, Ohio, and Indiana.

In June 1947, Selden performed to his largest audience, entertaining 300,000 people in Chicago. In a publicity campaign in 1950, he made his funeral arrangements a centerpiece, unveiling his tombstone with him performing his act directly above it. Arzeno Eugene Selden's legacy endures as a daring and innovative figure of circus history.