The Metamorphosis (in which he changed places with his wife Bess, who was locked inside a trunk), the Milk Can (in which he was locked inside a metal can full of liquid) and the Water Torture Cell (in which he was shackled upside down inside a tank full of water) were his most famous onstage escape illusions. Houdini changed his direction in the early 1900s, abandoning the Challenge (sadistic policemen were caught on several occasions trying to shackle Houdini with hopelessly jammed cuffs) in favor of the straightforward escape. A public relations genius far ahead of his time, Houdini created the image of the living superhero, escaping from straitjackets, bonds and jails. To survive in vaudeville, Houdini invented the Escape Challenge, daring spectators to handcuff or tie him in unusual knots and devices - and Houdini was always able to escape. To escape a life of poverty reinvented himself as magician Harry Houdini, King of Cards and Handcuff King.

Without doubt, the most famous magician in history. Inspired to become a professional by reading Robert-Houdin's Memoirs in 1890 and then in 1891, at Hyman's suggestion, adopted 'Houdini' as stage name. Moved to New York City in 1888 when taught his first sleight-of-hand tricks by friends Jake Hyman and Joe Rinn. Brought to USA later that spring when the family name was henceforward spelled Weiss and his first name was re-spelled Ehrich.Īt age 9 saw his first magician (Dr Lynn). Of Hungarian-Jewish parents, his father being a rabbi. Stage name of Ehrich Weiss (born Erik Weisz).

The great houdini