Harry Houdini...The Wizard of Escapes

Harry Houdini is considered by many people to be the finest escape artist who ever lived. Many of his tricks are still used by today’s illusionists and escape artists. Although there are a number of entertainers who perform some of the same seemingly impossible feats they do so with assistance and equipment that Houdini did not use.

Houdini was born in Budapest, Hungary in 1874 but later insisted he was born in Wisconsin. His birth name was Ehrich and his family and friends called him “Ehrie” which became Americanized to “Harry”. He performed card tricks and other “magic” acts but it was his handcuff escapes that first got him recognition.

When he first started performing his escapes for large audiences, he would be handcuffed, chained, or tied with ropes. Houdini could even get out of straitjackets very quickly. The people were amazed to see him free himself from all of these restraints in a short period of time. Once people became used to his escapes he learned new tricks to perform for his audiences. Houdini would be handcuffed and tied and then he would be submerged in a large can filled with water. The top would be placed on the can and the audiences would wait in fear to see if would he escape or die.

The most famous of Houdini’s acts was known by the name “Chinese Water Torture Cell”. In this, he would be placed in handcuffs and chains. Then he would be put upside down in a steel and glass box. This box would be locked and then hoisted into the air above the heads of the audience. Houdini would only have a few minutes to perform his death defying escape.

This amazing escape artist would become a favourite performer of audiences everywhere. He even performed in some films and created the Houdini Picture Corporation. His film career was not as successful as his magic career, but he was awarded a Hollywood Walk of Fame star.

Houdini’s death at the age of 54 was a big surprise. The escape artist had recently been told that he had appendicitis but he was continuing to travel and perform. He was resting on a couch when a college student approached him. The student asked if it was true that Houdini was able to withstand any punch to the stomach. This was another specialty act that Houdini performed. When Houdini told him yes, the young man hit him in the stomach several times. Houdini did not expect this and did not have time to tighten his stomach muscles. He died shortly after this from a ruptured appendix that is said to have been caused by those hits to his stomach.

 
For more information visit http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harry_Houdini 

This is an original news article © The Kids Window

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