Harry Houdini

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Harry Houdini-sitting

HarryHoudini1899

Signed drawing of Harry Houdini by Manuel Rosenberg 1927

Weiss with mother and wife

Harry Houdini jumps from Harvard Bridge, Boston, Massachusetts, 1908 - John H. Thurston, stereopticons LCCN2015650990 - restoration

Harry Houdini (born Erik Weisz, later Ehrich Weiss or Harry Weiss; March 24, 1874 – October 31, 1926) was a Hungarian-born American illusionist and stunt performer, noted for his sensational escape acts. He first attracted notice in vaudeville in the United States and then as "Harry Handcuff Houdini" on a tour of Europe, where he challenged police forces to keep him locked up. Soon, he extended his repertoire to include chains, ropes slung from skyscrapers, straitjackets under water, and having to escape from and hold his breath inside a sealed milk can with water in it.

Early life

Houdini was born in Budapest, Hungary, on March 24, 1874. His family emigrated to the United States when he was four years old, settling in Appleton, Wisconsin. Houdini began performing magic at the age of 17, initially under the stage name "Ehrich, the Prince of the Air."

Career

Houdini's career took off when he began to focus on escape acts. His ability to escape from handcuffs, straitjackets, and various other restraints and traps quickly made him a legend. He was also known for debunking spiritualists and mediums, whom he considered to be frauds preying on the bereaved.

Famous Escapes

Some of Houdini's most famous escape acts included the "Mirror Handcuff Challenge," where he escaped from a specially designed handcuff that took a locksmith five years to build, and the "Chinese Water Torture Cell," where he was suspended upside-down in a locked glass and steel cabinet overflowing with water, requiring him to hold his breath for more than three minutes to escape.

Death

Houdini died of peritonitis, secondary to a ruptured appendix, on October 31, 1926, in Detroit, Michigan. Despite speculation that his death was caused by a punch to the abdomen by an audience member (which did occur), the exact cause of his death remains uncertain.

Legacy

Houdini's legacy as a master illusionist and escape artist has lived on, and he remains an iconic figure in the world of magic and escapology. His life and career have been the subject of numerous books, films, and television shows.