In the nineteenth century , illusionist Jean - Eugene Robert - Houdin was asked by the Gallic government to go on a magical delegacy to Algeria . In the newly colonized area , local religious leaders called Marabouts were using illusion of their own to impress and influence tribes . Robert - Houdin ’s job was to go show that French magic was superior .
As legion Justin Dodd discusses in ourlatest episode ofThe History of Fun , Robert - Houdin ’s improbable task in Africa is just one interesting offshoot from the last few centuries of theatrical illusion . Magic has transformed from a little - honor sideshow to a multimillion - dollar industriousness . Along the elbow room , the art form itself has continuously develop .
Robert - Houdin ’s act incorporate meticulously rehearse fancy , a little routine of mentalism , and the employment of robotlike zombi that he had forge , suck on his previous experience as a watchmaker . He delighted audiences for class , and inspired a young Erik Weisz — a untested man who would eventually execute under the nameHarry Houdini .
Houdini , for his part , would one Clarence Day bend on his childhood idol . He eventually pen a scathing put-down in which he decried the “ supreme egotism ” of Robert - Houdin . The about - face might seem curious , but in a way it ’s fitting . Stage magic often draws on the past , but individual artists have often rebel against conventionalism to push the mass medium forward .
Watchthe full videoto learn more about how magic went from the street to the stages of Las Vegas , and what about the human brain makes being delightfully dumbfounded so entertaining .
Related Tags
