Peter Foy Dies

Peter Foy, a theatrical effects specialist who gave wings to entertainers, died of a heart attack February 17th in Las Vegas.

Foy, 79, founded Flying by Foy in 1948. He invented a system of pulleys, thin wires and harnesses in the 1950s that allowed stage, screen and television stars to fly smoothly through the air.

Mary Martin, Cathy Rigby and Sandy Duncan used the system for the stage production of “Peter Pan” and Sally Field used it for television’s “The Flying Nun.”

The invention also allowed Garth Brooks to fly during a concert at Texas Stadium and propelled Liberace and his piano into the air.