Calder was 25 years old in 1923 and had studied mechanical engineering but wanted to be an artist. He attended art school in New York where he worked freelance sketching the Ringling Brothers Circus, sparking a fascination with the circus. In 1926 he moved to Paris and began building moving toys that became a miniature performing circus, making him famous. He later created mobiles which became another new art form that brought him even greater fame later in life.