Harry Houdini

Harry Houdini, born Erik Weisz in Hungary in 1874, was one of the most famous magicians and escapologists in history. He moved to the United States as a child and began his career as a magician under the name Harry Houdini, taking the first name Harry as an homage to his idol, magician Harry Kellar, and the last name from the French magician Jean Eugène Robert-Houdin, adding an "i" to imply that he was like Houdin.

Houdini gained fame for his incredible ability to escape from seemingly impossible restraints and situations. He routinely escaped from handcuffs, straitjackets, water-filled tanks, and locked, sealed containers, often performing these stunts in public or while hanging from ropes in sight of large audiences. His acts were not only about the physical escape but also about captivating the audience with his showmanship and ability to create dramatic tension.

Beyond his escapology, Houdini was also known for exposing frauds who claimed to possess supernatural powers, particularly spiritualists and mediums, which he considered to be exploiting the public. Houdini's legacy endures in the realm of magic and escapology, and his life and works continue to be celebrated and studied for their contribution to entertainment and the performing arts.