This is a biography about the famous magician, Harry Houdini. He was known for escaping. He escaped from anything that he was asked to escape from. He escaped from chains, jail cells, straightjackets, and other things.He was a very mysterious man. He lived from 1874-1926. He said that he hung upside-down and picked up needles with his eyelashes. His original name was Erich Weisz. He was born in Budapest, Hungary. He moved to Appleton, Wisconsin in his early childhood. His father, Samuel met Cecilia, his mother, when a friend introduced them. Samuel fell in love with her, and they got married.His father, Samuel Weisz, was a rabbi, and when they moved to Appleton, Wisconsin their name changed from Weisz to Weiss. His parents tried to learn English, but it was too hard for them. They moved to Milwaukee, Wisconsin later on.When Harry was young, he delivered the Milwaukee Journal. When he was older he worked as a cutter at a necktie factory. He was a very successful athlete. He eventually quit because he wanted to be a magician.His family moved yet another time to New York City. He thought of the name Harry Houdini from his idol magician, Robert-Houdin. Harry and his brother, Theo, worked together and were called the Brothers Houdini. Harry joined a dramatic society for confidence.Harry married a singer named Bess Rahner. Her name was really Beatrice. She became Harry's assistant.When he was an escape artist he made many mystery movies. He did things like escaping from a straight jacket while hanging upside-down from some sort of crane. Another trick was being locked into a small, airtight compartment filled with water. He worked very hard to sharpen his skills, but he acted as if they were easy. Once, he was on a ship with Theodore Roosevelt. He was asked to do a performance for the President and he did. He never did a performance without knowing if he could make it.One day a boy asked if he could punch him in the stomach. Harry said yes, but when he was preparing for the hit, the kid punched him and Harry was seriously injured. His leg was in pain during his last few performances. The famous magician died on the Halloween of 1826. During his lifetime he amazed millions of people around the world. He could escape from almost anything. He inspired many, many people by doing so. |