Houdini’s First Time in the Limelight
Harry Houdini had a chance encounter in 1899 that would change the course of his life forever. That year, he met Martin Beck, a manager who was thoroughly impressed with his handcuff escape act. He encouraged Houdini to focus on this sort of performance instead of traditional magic, and shortly after, he began to book the magician at top vaudeville houses all around the US.
Harry Houdini stands by the coffin in which he was sealed for 90 minutes and immersed in the Hotel Sheridan’s swimming pool. Location: Hotel Shelton, New York, USA. (Photo by Library of Congress/Corbis/VCG via Getty Images)
A wild European tour followed shortly later, where he astonished Scotland Yard officers with his harrowing escapes. He soon became internationally known as “The Handcuff King,” showcasing his skills in increasingly bold ways. In each city, he would challenge local police to lock him in their cells, and every time, he would escape.