Harry Houdini

Harry Houdini

Born: March 24, 1874 in Budapest, Hungary.

Died: October 31, 1926 in Detroit, Michigan

Nationality: American

Occupation: Magician

• At the age of 17 he changed his name from Ehrich Weiss to Harry Houdini.
• He emigrated to the U.S. in 1874 and settled in Appleton, Wisconsin.

• His father died when Harry was only 16
• His father didn't support his magic career
• First encounter with magic: Houdini's father took him to see a magician by the name of Dr. Lynn when he was young and an act where Lynn cut his subjects limbs off mesmerized him.
• Was apart of S.A.M then quit from being vice president of it because he would not share his tricks.
• First Magic Trick:  At the age of 12, Houdini ran away from home to find a job and help support his family. When he returned, he greeted his mother with "Shake me; I'm magic." As his mother shook him, coins flew from his body; this was Houdini's first magic trick.
• Called himself “Eric the Great”
• Supported his family with several jobs.
• His first performances consisted of card tricks and simple magic tricks. Later he started to experiment with handcuffs.
• His brother was his assistant, Theo.
• Married Wilhelmina Beatrice, a dancer and singer.
• Bess (his wife) later replaced Theo as an assistant.
• He became affiliated with the Society of American Magicians
• Later he was elected vice president of S.A.M.
• "Metamorphosis", the "Challenge Handcuff Act", the "Naked Test Prison Escape", the - "Straitjacket Escape", the "Overboard Box Escape", the "Milk Can Escape", the "Needle Trick", "Walking through a Brick Wall", the "Chinese Water Torture Cell", and the "Vanishing Elephant". These all were his greatest illusions.
• Harry Houdini produced five films, The Master Mystery, The Grim Game, Terror Island, and The Man from Beyond.
• Harry Houdini died because he said that he could take a blow to the stomach after a student asked him. The student hit Houdini three times and without knowing his appendix ruptured. After that he performed but then fell ill and died in 1926 by his wife's side.

Sources: 

"Harry Houdini." American Decades. Ed. Judith S. Baughman, et al. Detroit: Gale, 1998. Student Resources in Context. Web. 5 Oct. 2015.

AllAboutMagicians. “Harry Houdini – Straight Jacket Escape.” Online video clip. Youtube. Youtube. 4 December 2010. Web. 3 October 2015.