The barrel plunge
One of the most memorable scenes of our childhood cartoons is people (or anthropomorphic characters) going down high waterfalls in barrels. Though entertaining in our youth, this is a pretty scary thought. Back in 1901, 63-year-old teacher Annie Edson Taylor took up the challenge. She locked herself in a barrel went plunging down Niagara Falls.
Luckily, she escaped the ordeal with minimal injuries. However, she stated that she would never do such a thing or recommend it to anyone. Sadly, people have not taken her warning to heart, and many have lost their lives in an attempt to recreate her stunt.