Harry Houdini
Harry Houdini, original name Erich Weiss (1874-1926). US illusionist and escapologist, born in Budapest. He won an international reputation for his daring escapes from handcuffs, straitjackets, locked trunks, ropes, and chains. Many of his performances took place under water or in similarly dangerous circumstances. He also escaped from several prisons, to the dismay of the prison authorities who had challenged him to make the attempt. Having claimed to be invulnerable to blows from the fist, he died as a result of a punch delivered before he had time to tense his muscles to resist the blow.
“He hurled at the universe a challenge to bind, fetter, or confine him…He triumphed over manacles and prison cells, the wet-sheet packs of insane asylums, webs of fish net, iron boxes bolted shut…His skill and daring finally fused deeply with the unconscious wish of Everyman; to escape from chains and leg irons, gibbets and coffins…by magic. William Lindsay Gresham, Houdini”
