Harry Houdini

By OTW079
  • Harry Houdini is born

    Harry was born as Ehrich Weiss in Budapest, Hungary.
  • Ehrich's family moves to America

    Ehrich's family moved to Wisconsin to be with family there.
  • Ehrich puts on his first show

    When he was 9 years old, he put on his first show. It was a circus, and he called himself the Prince of the Air.
  • Ehrich changes his name

    Ehrich moved with his father to New York and he started doing magic shows with a friend. He started calling himself Harry Houdini.
  • The Houdini Brothers perform in their first big show

    Harry had joined up with a friend, and they called themselves the Brothers Houdini. Their first big show was in Chicago.
  • The Brothers Houdini changes names

    Harry's friend stopped performing, and he was eventually replaced with a girl named Bess. Bess and Harry were married, and the show was called, The Houdinis.
  • The Houdinis gain some fame

    The Houdini's first famous trick was one where they traded places inside a locked trunk. Harry also did tricks escaping from handcuffs.
  • Harry Houdini's school of magic

    Harry had a catalogue made up to mail out for Harry Houdini's school of magic. He was frustrated with the business and considered quitting.
  • Houdini catches his first big break

    Houdini's show was seen by a theater manager who asked Harry to start working for him. Houdini began work in the theater and soon everyone was coming to see him.
  • Houdini travels to Europe

    Houdini travelled to England and then Germany, doing all of his tricks. He became famous overseas.
  • Houdini escapes from master handcuffs

    A blacksmith in England had taken 5 years to make an escape-proof set of handcuffs. It took Houdini 1 hour to break free.
  • Houdini breaks out of prison

    Harry Houdini was locked in a Washington D.C. prison cell, but he escaped easily.
  • Houdini jumps off a bridge

    Houdini allowed himself to be handcuffed and chained, and then he jumped off a bridge. When he escaped and came up for air, the crowds celebrated.
  • Houdini begins his movie career

    Houdini acted in a movie called The Master Mystery, and later he started his own production company.
  • Harry Houdini dies

    Harry died in Detroit after a show, from complication of appendicitis. The world mourned for their favorite magician, but his thrilling acts are still used and remembered today.