History of Planking

The Lying down game (also known as planking, or face downs) is an activity,

popular in various parts of the world, consisting of lying face down in an unusual

or incongruous location. The hands must touch the sides of the body,

and having a photograph of the participant taken and posted on the Internet

is an integral part of the game.

Players compete to find the most unusual and original location in which to play.

The location should also be as public as possible,

and as many people as possible should be involved.

The term "planking" was coined in Australia and the practice became a fad in 2011.

Planking is described as the practice of lying down flat with arms to the side,

to mimic a wooden plank. It has its origins in the "lying down game".

On 13 May 2011, a 20-year-old man from Gladstone in central Queensland

was charged for allegedly planking on a police vehicle.

Popular planking locations include park benches and other public places.

On 15 May 2011, Acton Beale, a 20-year-old man,

plunged to his death after reportedly "planking" on a seventh-floor balcony in Brisbane, Australia. Beale became the first known casualty of the planking fad.