Happy Birthday Houdini

Erich Weiss was better known by his stage name of Harry Houdini. Houdini often claimed April 6 as his birthday but in reality his birth was on March 24th in 1874.

Houdini was thought by some to be part of the scientific world as well. A spiritualists could fool scientists by using their senses.

Harry Houdini was born on March 24th 1874 and passed on October 31st 1926. The world recalls Houdini as an American magician and performer. He was famous for his amazing escape stunts. Houdini was born in Budapest as Erik Weisz. His parents brought him to America where he grew up in Wisconsin and New York City. Houdini came up with his name as a tribute to two performers Harry Kellar and Jean Eugene Robert Houdin At the age of nine Houdini performed on a trapeze in New York. He would perform many tricks sucessfully and soon the tricks would begin to include escape acts

The handcuff challenge in London, the milk can escape, the Chinese Water Torture Cell, the overboard box and buried alive stunt were all in the Houdinis line up. Houdini created and starred in several movies and was also awarded a Hollywood star. President Houdini presided over Martinka & company as well as the Society of American Magicians. He was highly respected in the world of illusion. 

Houdini would meet his death in 1926 from appendicitis. His brother who was also a magician continued to work in the world of magic. In memory of the great Houdini a Houdini Magic Hall of Fame in Niagara Falls, Ontario still showcases many pieces that he used. David Copperfield has a private museum in Las Vegas where a few pieces of Houdini and his work can be found as well.