October 23: Houdini and Magic

On 23 October 1926, Harry Houdini was backstage at McGill University when, with Houdini’s permission, a student hit him in the stomach. Unfortunately, Houdini had not been able to properly tense his muscles before being hit. As a result of a burst appendix, Houdini would die a week later.

The following day, Harry Houdini gave his last performance in Detroit, Michigan. During his lifetime, he was revered as one of the most talented magicians. He was known as an escape artist – a man who could escape any confinement or binds. Houdini was one of the first people to use the strait jacket in show business. I would argue that Houdini was an inspiration for many famous magicians since his time.

The art of illusion dates back all the way to ancient Rome in 50-300 CE. Magicians of the time had mastered the infamous “cups and balls” trick. It involves quick maneuvering of several cups to make a ball disappear and reappear at will. This performance has passed the test of time and is still around today. As early as 400 CE, illusion and trickery found a place in early witchcraft. Necromancers and witches would use magic to persuade and instill fear into others. Often times, they were thought to have power over life and death.

Today, over a thousand years later, magic is used in the form of entertainment. Although the uses tied with magic have changed drastically, it’s interesting to see that it still has a very influential role in our society. We might not practice necromancy and witchcraft, but we do continue to use magic as an art of deception and persuasion.

-David Miller

Photo Caption: An illustration of cups and balls from the middle ages.

Meet the Author: David Miller

I am a transfer student at Schoolcraft College planning to major in Pharmacy. I’m currently employed as an administrative assistant at a real estate firm and I have my own side business as well. Some of my interests include soccer, movies, and more recently traveling. I can say without a doubt that one of the quickest ways to learn something is to go there and check it out for yourself.

Posted on October 23, 2013 by Schoolcraft College Student
Categories: American History: Modern, World History: Ancient, World History: Early Modern
Tags: entertainment, United States

11 Responses

Michael T. Pietron says:

2 November 2012 at 10:54 pm

Harry Houdini is quite an interesting entertainer. From what I’ve read about him he has taken many risks and had the willpower to accept almost any challenge thrown at him. Sadly, this is what caused his demise. Entertainers always take risk no matter how intense their stunts may be. This event reminds me of the clip on “1000 ways to die”, where the magician accidentally got shot by his assistant and doesn’t make it through the night. Although one death occurred more sudden and one took time to progress it still shows the sacrifices some of these entertainers make.

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lauren badalamente says:

15 November 2012 at 9:13 am

Magic has been practiced for a very long time. In fact it goes back as far as 50,000 B.C.Magic was very important to Ancient Egyptians,Greeks and Romans because they believed that it would provide them with crop, punishments, and rewards, and keeping the pharaoh happy.

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Caleb Schonschack says:

26 November 2012 at 10:02 pm

It is very interesting to examine how the role of magic changed throughout history. At first many people were not able to see through the trickery, but now that these ways are known to be tricks it is considered a form of art. It is also quit ironic that after doing a trick so many times on stage the time that finally killed him was by a student backstage. Magic of all sorts will forever be a large part of human nature. For example tribal Shaman’s had and still have a huge impact on people who live it such areas where this practice is still done. All throughout history Shaman’s became religious leaders who here able to go back and forth between the physical and supernatural worlds in order to help other people. They were and still today are seen as a type of doctor. In Africa there is a large shortage of MDs and this makes it very difficult for people to see them so as an alternative they will see a shaman in hopes they can heal them. For many the practice of Shamans is a tradition, and therefor will continue to have a purpose.

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david collins says:

3 December 2012 at 12:43 pm

Harry Houdini was not only a magician, he was also a world renowned skeptic. He went all over the world debunking myths of psychics and “sorcery”. Today there are several skeptics who have made their living as magicians. Derren Brown, an English illusionist, is world famous in his use of misdirection, psychology and showmanship in his magic as he explains before each show he is not endowed with any powers from above. Another famous magician and skeptic is James Randi, he has actually set up a million dollar reward for anyone who can prove some aspect of psychic phenomenon, sorcery or magic. To date no one has yet successfully passed the test and claimed the prize. There is currently a film in the making following “The Amazing Randi” in his pursuit to debunk frauds in the act, you can see about the film and watch an extended trailer here ; http://www.anhonestliar.com/anhonestliar/Home.html

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Makenzy Wilson says:

5 December 2012 at 6:45 pm

Perhaps it is ironic that the man millions of people saw escape the Jaws of Life multiple times died from a common disease at that time, appendicitis. The loss of Houdini was unfortunate and tragic; however, he dedicated his life to his craft and his fans. Houdini performed in spite of disappointing his fans until he was in critical conditions. Even with an injured foot, he performed on October 19th, 1926, in Montreal where he had a fatal blow to his appendix. It is said that after Houdini’s last performance in Detroit he collapsed as the curtains closed. Houdini’s body, after receiving two operations, was filled with toxins and soon failed to respond.

-Makenzy Wilson

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Benny Marsalese says:

6 December 2012 at 11:24 pm

Harry Houdini, the famous magician had many deaths. As unfortunate and sad as his death was, it is important to remember the greatness of his acts and magic tricks. Being known for his cleverness with locks and escaping situations where he was often bonded or cuffed in chains, Houdini was an expert in sticky situations.My favorite trick of his was the Chinese Water Torture Cell, which put Houdini underwater head first, and had his feet bound and chained outside of the water. Usually performed in front of a crowd, Houdini could escape in minimal time, and would often escape with a dramatic entrance out of the Cabinet for his audience. This trick is one of the reason Houdini is still a modern marvel today.

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Jalynn Neeely says:

8 December 2012 at 11:36 am

The first known performance of a conjuring balls by the magician Dedi in Ancient Egypt 2700 BCE.

50-300 BC The Acetabolarrii performed the cups and balls the Ancient Rome using stones and small vinegar cups.

400 BC-1000 The Dark Ages was associated with occult and magic. They used if as entertainment not prominent.

1000-1500 The Middle Ages were associated with the occult and witchcraft. They were trying to make modern ideas such as cheating by short changing via sleights with coins and other small objects

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Makenzy Wilson says:

8 December 2012 at 12:17 pm

After his death, Harry Houdini’s funeral was held in New York. In Queens, New York, the crest of the Society of American Magicians was etched into his gravestone. The Society, also referred to as S.A.M., was founded on May 10th, 1902 in New York, New York. The society today is one of the most admired and respected magic associations. Although many magicians gather at S.A.M. sightings, magic in the United States is thought to have started in Salem in 1692. Although no one knows the complete story of the magic in Salem, it is said that young girls were found screaming in the woods and later condemned as witches.

-Makenzy Wilson

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Hina Gandher says:

9 December 2012 at 2:45 pm

It is interesting to note that although Harry Houdini was renowned and revered for his magic and escape tricks, magic was not always seen in such a light. The Salem witch trials of 1692 resulted in the capture and execution of 20 civilians and the accusation of witchcraft towards 200 civilians. One of the many results of the fear and hatred portrayed in this event in history was that many Pagans and Wiccans went into hiding and only in the last half century have begun to reveal them self as such. As of May 2, 2011 May second is International Pagan coming out day.

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Chris Long says:

9 December 2012 at 10:25 pm

Magic has been a form of entertainment ever since Ancient Roman times. Although we all know that there is no such thing as magic, many people do not know how these tricks are pulled off. Everything done by a magician is an illusion. In fact a more appropriate name for them would be an illusionist. The way a lot tricks are done are by using something called sleight of hand. This is when the magician distracts the viewers from one thing so he can manipulate whatever he needs to manipulate in order to pull off his trick.

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Alex Zuccarini says:

9 December 2012 at 11:03 pm

Magic has changed a lot over time. People used to be killed because they were accused of witchcraft and now it is primarily used for entertainment. You can see how society has changed and become more realistic over time.

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