History of Magic

    Magic first started as a normal sideshow on the streets.  For thousands of years, people thought that magicians could use supernatural powers to gain control over natural forces.
    The first great American magician, Jacob Meyar, made his reputation in Europe during the second half of the 18th century.
    Another great magician, Harry Houdini, claimed he was born in Appleton, Wisconsin, on April 6,1974.  Ehrie, as he was called, began doing magic at a very young age.  Harry (Ehrie) made wonderful predictions.  At one of his shows he called upon a woman and she stood up.  He made a prediction about a boy on his bike.   He was riding his bike and  he crashed and broke his arm.  The next day the the lady's  son was riding his bike and broke his arm.
    Some of  his greatest stunts were performed with handcuffs and straight jackets while he was either hung upside down or in a box of some sort.
    A student from Ontario, named J. Gordon Whitehead, came to return a book to Houdini.  Whitehead wanted to know if it was true that anyone could punch him.  Houdini said "yes".  Whitehead wanted to know if he could punch him and not hurt him.  Houdini said "yes" again.  Without warning  he punched him.  "I wasn't set" said Houdini, gasping for air.  He was later declared to have appendicitis.  When the last show was finished he collapsed having a temperature of 104 degrees.  After the show his appendix burst.

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