One of the predecessors to the great magic man, Harry Houdini was the great Robert-Houdin. Born in France in 1805 as Jean-Eugene Robert-Houdin, he is actually the man whom Harry Houdini took his name nearly a generation later.
Robert-Houdin was originally a clockmaker in France but his love of magic soon took over and he began performing in 1845. He was the first magician to actually use electricity, and he used many common objects to create his magic instead of relying on heavy machinery or large objects.
One of his most well known tricks was using a large, empty wooden box with an iron bottom. He turned it immovable by using an electromagnet hidden under the stage floor. He would claim that he could “drain the strength from even the strongest man”. He was able to life the box himself, but when he would have a strong man join him on stage to attempt the lift, on would turn the magnet, which made it impossible. Audiences loved it.
During his lifetime the number of stage magicians increased dramatically. The popularity in Europe was huge for many, and as the United States became more and more settled, theaters were built in every town in order to support the magic revolution
Shortly after Robert-Houdin’s death in 1971 another popular and successful magician was born, John Nevil Maskelyne. He was a noted escape artist and a successful illusionist. He perfected the levitation illusion and performed amazing escapes.
Prior to Harry Houdini, the most incredible American magician was the great Harry Kellar. Establishing himself in the United States in 1884, he had actually traveled the world starting in his teenage years. He eventually sold his show to Howard Thurston in 1908 and he made this show the largest magic extravaganza in that time. For over 20 years he toured with his 3-hour show.
Then in 1914 an English magician, P.T. Selbit, became famous for his walking through a brick wall on stage. 70 years later this illusion was update by David Copperfield when he walked through the Great Wall of China on television.
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