Harry Houdini (Erik Weisz)

Harry Houdini, born Erik Weisz in 1874, was a renowned Hungarian-American illusionist and escape artist. Famous for his daring escape acts, he could free himself from locked containers, handcuffs, and straitjackets, often defying expectations and seeming to perform impossible feats. Houdini also exposed fraudulent spiritualists, advocating for skepticism and critical thinking. His innovations in magic influenced modern entertainment, and his performances emphasized physical skill, ingenuity, and showmanship. Despite his death in 1926, Houdini remains an enduring symbol of theatrical magic and the pursuit of pushing human limits.