Harry Houdini (1874 - 1926), born Erik Weisz in Budepest, Hungary, emigrated to the United States and began his career in entertainment as a circus trapeze artist. From about 1900 Houdini began to earn an international reputation for his daring feats of escape from shackles, ropes, and handcuffs and from various locked containers. In one outdoor exhibition, performed before thousands, he allowed himself to be suspended in a straitjacket, head down, about 75 feet above ground and then freed himself. He became so famous that he appeared in motion pictures from 1916 to 1923 in which he demonstrated his amazing skills. In his later years Houdini campaigned against mind readers, mediums, and others who claimed supernatural powers. He argued that they were charlatans who produced all of their effects through natural means and various tricks.
