Harry Houdini captured hearts around the world like no magician in history, and he almost stopped more than a few of them. Despite performing death defying stunts throughout his career, it took repeated blows to the abdomen and possible appendicitis to knock off the greatest escape artist in history at the age of 52.
Here are eight times Harry Houdini should have died, and didn't.
1
Milk Can Escape
In 1908, Houdini was locked and shackled in a milk can filled with water. It was one of his first water escapes, and became so popular that he repeated the act many times.
2
The Chinese Water Cell
One of his most famous acts, the Chinese Water Cell, or Torture Cell, or Upside Down Cell, consisted of lowering an upside down caged Houdini into a tub of water. After a period of time, Houdini emerged unscathed, with the cage still locked.
3
Harvard Bridge
In July of 1908, Houdini took his skills outdoors, and jumped shackled from the Harvard Bridge. Predictably, he emerged unscathed.
4
Harvard Bridge Continued
In the air.
5
Flying
Houdini on the wing of his plane in 1921.
6
The B.F. Keith's Theatre
In addition to water, Houdini added danger with heights. In this 1922 stunt, he was dangled in a straight jacket over the streets of Washington DC.
7
Melbourne Bridge Jump
Houdini jumped off of many bridges in his day. This photo comes from his 1910 Queens Bridge, Melbourne, Australia jump.
8
New York Harbor
While padlocked in a weighted wooden crate, Houdini was sunk to the bottom of New York harbor. Spectacularly however, he emerged on a nearby boat.
9
New York Harbor Continued
Preparing to go overboard.
10
New York Harbor Continued
Preparing to go overboard.
11
Overboard… Again
After the success of his 1912 sunken box stunt, Houdini repeated the act in 1914, this time in Battery Park.
12
Buried Alive
Houdini tried many times to perfect a “buried alive” stunt. In a 1919 attempt in California, Houdini nearly WAS buried alive in a six-foot grave. Apparently, after calling for help, he was forced to rescue himself, and was eventually pulled away unconscious. We’ll never know if this was the closest he came to dying during a stunt.
