https://padlet.com/mainreb000/z10mi1km8cekgqfg Ruth Brandon en-us 2022-02-04 18:16:47 UTC 2022-04-01 04:08:17 UTC hello@padlet.com mainreb000 https://padlet.com/mainreb000/z10mi1km8cekgqfg/wish/2086966598 Houdini was born in Budapest to Cecilia and Samuel Weiss. When he was four his family migrated from Budapest to escape antisemitism. Since his family was Jewish staying in Budapest could have been dangerous. His family didn't have a lot of money since his dad was a rabbi and didn't get paid a lot. With the fear of staying the Weiss family packed up and moved to Appleton Wisconsin "What did Cecilia Weiss imagine when, with her five boys, including Ehrich (future Houdini), then age four, she left Budapest, that most European of cities, for New York? The Weiss were on the run from anti-Semitism" (10).  ]]> 2022-03-09 21:39:36 UTC https://padlet.com/mainreb000/z10mi1km8cekgqfg/wish/2086966598 mainreb000 https://padlet.com/mainreb000/z10mi1km8cekgqfg/wish/2124410528 When talking to the press about his life Houdini spun many tales. He told the press that his family was royalty in Budapest at that he was a prince. He said his farther (a king) had fallen out of line and they were forced to move causing them to end up in Appleton Wisconsin . Even after Houdini had passed his wife and sister kept up the fairy tale like lie. They would pretend to recall memories or stories about Houdini's past to feed to the press.]]> 2022-03-31 22:16:58 UTC https://padlet.com/mainreb000/z10mi1km8cekgqfg/wish/2124410528 mainreb000 https://padlet.com/mainreb000/z10mi1km8cekgqfg/wish/2124422197 A lot of what Houdini claimed was false. One of the major things he lied about was his birth. He said he was born April 6th 1874 in Appleton Wisconsin. Well this in fact is lie, there is no birth certificate to proves although there is a certificate saying otherwise. This certificate says the Erich Weiss (Harry Houdini was a name he made for himself) was born March 24th in Budapest Hungary. "Houdini himself would always give his date of birth a 6 April 1874 and it place Appleton. But there is no record of him being born in Wisconsin, ... there is a certificate attesting to his birth–or the birth of an Erik Weiss–in Budapest on 24 March 1874"(13).]]> 2022-03-31 22:30:34 UTC https://padlet.com/mainreb000/z10mi1km8cekgqfg/wish/2124422197 mainreb000 https://padlet.com/mainreb000/z10mi1km8cekgqfg/wish/2124431459 Before this show Houdini had done a lot of other tricks. He wanted the first trick he did on a professional stage to be special. He decided on doing a trick called "Substitution Trunk" but, Houdini preferred to call it "Metamorphosis". This ticked involved a giant trunk where Houdini would go in and then he would lock it. Through illusion Houdini would end up out of the box while the partner was in the trunk while the trunk still stayed locked. "The very first trick ever performed bu Houdini on the professional stage was a simple but effective illusion known generally as the 'Substitution Trunk,' though he perferrd to call it 'Metamorphosis'"(14).]]> 2022-03-31 22:43:10 UTC https://padlet.com/mainreb000/z10mi1km8cekgqfg/wish/2124431459 mainreb000 https://padlet.com/mainreb000/z10mi1km8cekgqfg/wish/2124439240 Houdini's farther was not getting many job offers in Appleton so they got up and moved to Milwaukee where there were more Jews. Houdini's farther was a rabbi which is a religious leader for Jews. In Milwaukee the search for a job for Samuel Weiss begin. Between 1883 and 1887 it was estimated that the Weiss family moved at least 5 times. This was either to get a cheaper home or staying ahead of the rent collectors. "Without the rabbi's stipend life could not be sustained in Appleton. So they moved Milwaukee, a large city with more Jews who might want what Rabbi Weiss had to offer. But his success, or lack of it,may be judged by the number of times they moved from one address to the another in that city. They made at least five moves between 1883 and 1887" (20).]]> 2022-03-31 22:54:50 UTC https://padlet.com/mainreb000/z10mi1km8cekgqfg/wish/2124439240 mainreb000 https://padlet.com/mainreb000/z10mi1km8cekgqfg/wish/2124442923 Early life for Houdini was tough since they were living off the salary of a rabbi. This required Houdini to get small day jobs like selling newspapers and shining shoes. This was most defiantly needed due to the unsuitability of his fathers work. The need of money had to come for where ever they could get it so Houdini played his part and got day jobs. Along with his day job in Milwaukee Houdini was sent to an enforced study where he wrote a letter to his mother about how he hated it there. This study was good for him since he didn't get an education so he couldn't read or write very well or if at all.]]> 2022-03-31 23:00:17 UTC https://padlet.com/mainreb000/z10mi1km8cekgqfg/wish/2124442923 mainreb000 https://padlet.com/mainreb000/z10mi1km8cekgqfg/wish/2124444520 Life in the 1880's was short and Houdini witnessed it. The first but defiantly not last death Houdini witnessed was of his older brother. Houdini's siblings consisted of 4 brother and 1 sister. When is brother died 1885, Houdini was 11. Seeing death changed his perspective a bit on life and may have impacted Houdini in ways that were never shared. "In 1885, when he was eleven, Ehrich's elder half-brother Herman died of tuberculosis" (21).]]> 2022-03-31 23:02:38 UTC https://padlet.com/mainreb000/z10mi1km8cekgqfg/wish/2124444520 mainreb000 https://padlet.com/mainreb000/z10mi1km8cekgqfg/wish/2124450975 When Houdini was 12 his father gave up since his job was unsuccessful. This left Houdini to take care of his mother. He was about to hit puberty and decided to having a fresh start would give him a better opportunity in life. He bought a train ticket hoping to go to Galvaston Texas. Unfortunately (at the time) he got the wrong ticket and ended up in Kansas]]> 2022-03-31 23:11:27 UTC https://padlet.com/mainreb000/z10mi1km8cekgqfg/wish/2124450975 mainreb000 https://padlet.com/mainreb000/z10mi1km8cekgqfg/wish/2124456500 After traveling around America looking for jobs Houdini ended up in New York. While there he found his father Samuel Weiss. He was running a Jew school there in New York. Working with what Houdini's farther was earning and what Houdini had made they put it together to buy a flat. They then moved they entire family into this flat and had to live off of very little. "Ehrich did not return to Milwaukee, but worked his way over the next two year to New York. There he found his father, whom he had left in Milwaukee but who had decided to try his luck running a Hebrew school in the city with the biggest Jewish population in America ... He and Ehrich put their money together and found a flat" (22).]]> 2022-03-31 23:18:44 UTC https://padlet.com/mainreb000/z10mi1km8cekgqfg/wish/2124456500 mainreb000 https://padlet.com/mainreb000/z10mi1km8cekgqfg/wish/2124460882 Although a lot of what Houdini said to the press was made up one thing that is true is his relationship to Compar Herrman. Compar was a famous magician also, he performed before Abraham Lincoln at the White House. Although the relationship was there second cousins and all that stuff and Houdini never met him didn't mean he wasn't inspired. When he was a kids is when he found out the relationship was instantly fascinated. Houdini mentioned him a few times in the press and how Compar was one of his inspirations.]]> 2022-03-31 23:24:34 UTC https://padlet.com/mainreb000/z10mi1km8cekgqfg/wish/2124460882 mainreb000 https://padlet.com/mainreb000/z10mi1km8cekgqfg/wish/2124468399 When Houdini was 9 the circus came to his town and he was thrilled. He was fascinated by the performances but the magician act especially stood out. It was the one where a persons limbs were cut off this hypnotized Houdini as at time he did not know how it was done and this moment stuck with him. One time when a visiting circus was in town he convinced them to give him 35 cents to do a trick. This trick consisted of him hanging upside down and picking up needles with his eyelashes. This was Houdini's first ever public performance even though it wasn't magic. " Various stories exist of his childhood exploits. According to on of these, his first public performance was at the age of nine, when he persuaded a visiting circus to pay him thirty-five cents to demonstrate his virtuosity at hanging upside down and picking up needles with his eyelashes" (25).]]> 2022-03-31 23:34:21 UTC https://padlet.com/mainreb000/z10mi1km8cekgqfg/wish/2124468399 mainreb000 https://padlet.com/mainreb000/z10mi1km8cekgqfg/wish/2124475535 Right after circus life Houdini found a new fascination locks. Houdini was good at picking locks from the young age of 9. His mother would make pie and lock it up so her kids would not be able to eat it before it was time. Although when she came back to the pie to find it all eaten she was mightily confused. Upon realization of his talent with locks Houdini's parents signed him up for an apprenticeship are a locksmith. He was quite good at his apprenticeship and he now had a new love for locks. " A publicity pamphlet tells how is mother locked up her larder so that he sons shouldn't raid it, whereupon Ehrich learned how to picks the lock, leaving Mrs. Weiss mystified when she found the door still locked and the pie plate empty" (25&26).]]> 2022-03-31 23:42:25 UTC https://padlet.com/mainreb000/z10mi1km8cekgqfg/wish/2124475535 mainreb000 https://padlet.com/mainreb000/z10mi1km8cekgqfg/wish/2124483078 Houdini's consumption of alcohol and drugs was effected by his father and his disapproval for moral reasons and his coach said they were bad for him. Since Houdini was quite athletic and he might have been able to make a career out of it so made sure to keep drugs/alcohol out of his system. He was a fairly strong swimmer and able to swim quite fast. Houdini was also a great runner. At age 16 he was able to win a prize from the AAAU for the mile run. Although soon after he was disqualified for competed in some unapproved games.]]> 2022-03-31 23:50:35 UTC https://padlet.com/mainreb000/z10mi1km8cekgqfg/wish/2124483078 mainreb000 https://padlet.com/mainreb000/z10mi1km8cekgqfg/wish/2124498495 Houdini was fascinated with a much different circus then we see now. No are circus are filled with bright colorful lights, crazy music and sound effects, and things like smoke machines and moving doors. Back when Houdini went to the circus it was simple. You would just sit in the stand and watch people on elephants, tiger tamers, and pretty ladies dancing. To get into the circus now a days you must go throw applications and hiring process. This differs from Houdini's time because he just walked in and connived them to let him into the show last minute.]]> 2022-04-01 00:06:41 UTC https://padlet.com/mainreb000/z10mi1km8cekgqfg/wish/2124498495 mainreb000 https://padlet.com/mainreb000/z10mi1km8cekgqfg/wish/2124509562 This video shows that in 2013, 9 years ago the trick that Houdini did is still being done. After many years the trick that Houdini loved is still alive. In the description of the video you can see that Houdini is mentioned and payed honor too. This proves that this trick although he didn't invent it is represent by his love for it. Although the proper name for it is the Substitution Trunk most illusionist call it the Metamorphosis trick after Houdini.]]> 2022-04-01 00:16:52 UTC https://padlet.com/mainreb000/z10mi1km8cekgqfg/wish/2124509562 mainreb000 https://padlet.com/mainreb000/z10mi1km8cekgqfg/wish/2124527090 Harry Houdini was an amazing illusionist that new a lot about locks. As perversely stated when he was younger he was good a picking locks. The locks he picked then are not the locks he pick now. Many locks are becoming electronic for things like doors, safes and cars. While many of the locks like key locks still exist they are much more complex. If Houdini was in the modern world he would have trouble stealing the pie that used to be a breeze. Its cool to see how things change over time and how one of the thing Houdini was best know for might be a struggle for him in life now.]]> 2022-04-01 00:30:29 UTC https://padlet.com/mainreb000/z10mi1km8cekgqfg/wish/2124527090 mainreb000 https://padlet.com/mainreb000/z10mi1km8cekgqfg/wish/2124551213 At age 17 Houdini read a book that would change his life. This book was the memoirs of Robert Houdin, a great French magician. This book talked about Roberts magic career and this inspired Houdini (at the time still Ehrich) to learn the art and become a magician. Houdini took so much inspiration for Robert that he made is stage name Harry Houdini. He thought Houdini was close enough to Houdin to pay his respect to the inspiration. ]]> 2022-04-01 00:48:23 UTC https://padlet.com/mainreb000/z10mi1km8cekgqfg/wish/2124551213 mainreb000 https://padlet.com/mainreb000/z10mi1km8cekgqfg/wish/2124565312 After Houdini had his enlightening moment his farther wasn't to stoked. Houdini had a job that was supporting the family and now he was throwing it away to purse an art. This uncertainty made the rabbi uneasy as the future was no longer secure. Although he didn't have a lot of time to voice this concerned because he passed away in 1892, when Houdini was just 18. Although Houdini's father wasn't the best at providing for the family, he was still family and important to Houdini is some way shape or form. "What rabbi would wish to see his brightest son throw up a steady job in the shatteh a business where Jewish boys traditionally make good (or at least make a living), in order to take up the uncertain life of traveling conjure? Rabbi Weiss had little time to brood: in 1892, almost as soon as the decision had been taken, he made the final abdication and died" (30).]]> 2022-04-01 00:59:46 UTC https://padlet.com/mainreb000/z10mi1km8cekgqfg/wish/2124565312 mainreb000 https://padlet.com/mainreb000/z10mi1km8cekgqfg/wish/2124582757 In 1912 when Houdini would be 38 life started finally turning for the better. Houdini was now making 1000$ weekly for his performances. People were loving him but he was only thinking about one thing. When he was going to get his check he asked for it in gold (coins). When he got the coins he went to his moms house and dumped it in her apron. This reference make to one of the first magic things he did, where he put gold in his clothes then his mom shook him and it all fell out. "When many years later (in 1912), he finally achieved a salary of$1,000 a week in New York, he requested his first week's pay in god, drove straight to his mother with the bag of coins and emptied them into her apron"(30).]]> 2022-04-01 01:13:30 UTC https://padlet.com/mainreb000/z10mi1km8cekgqfg/wish/2124582757 mainreb000 https://padlet.com/mainreb000/z10mi1km8cekgqfg/wish/2124589493 One thing that stuck with Houdini was the fact that he was the son of a rabbi. In the art of magic and illusion they were quite a few fellow magicians who were also sons of rabbi. When Houdini was 44 or in 1918 he found his on association. This association was called Rabbi's Son Theatrical Association. The members of this association were all sons of rabbi. Houdini being the founder of course made him self the president of the company.]]> 2022-04-01 01:19:01 UTC https://padlet.com/mainreb000/z10mi1km8cekgqfg/wish/2124589493 mainreb000 https://padlet.com/mainreb000/z10mi1km8cekgqfg/wish/2124597801 In 1917 when Houdini was 43 America entered WWI. Houdini wanted to help protect the place he called home so he registered to enlist. Houdini wrote to his friend telling how he was joining and from the tone of the letter he sounded excited to serve. Although his eager spirit he was rejected due to his age being 43. Although he could not fit he still wanted to do his part. "In 1917, when America joined the first world war, Houdini wrote to a friend: 'I register tomorrow for enlisting. HURRAH, now I am one of the boys.' He was by then forty-three, and rejected on grounds of age"(33).]]> 2022-04-01 01:25:10 UTC https://padlet.com/mainreb000/z10mi1km8cekgqfg/wish/2124597801 mainreb000 https://padlet.com/mainreb000/z10mi1km8cekgqfg/wish/2124604935 Although unable t fight in the war Houdini insisted on helping the best he could. This involved giving free performances to the soldiers in training. For 2 years of his life went around training camps to try and give the soldiers high spirits and make them happy campers. He did tricks that involved money going to the soldiers and ended up giving around 7,000$ in gold pieces. Along with that Houdini used his fame and publicity to sell over 1,000,000$ in liberty bonds. Houdini helped war causes the best he could even though he himself was ineligible to fight.]]> 2022-04-01 01:30:03 UTC https://padlet.com/mainreb000/z10mi1km8cekgqfg/wish/2124604935 mainreb000 https://padlet.com/mainreb000/z10mi1km8cekgqfg/wish/2124611816 Houdini tied the knot at age 20 in 1894. Harry Houdini married Wilhelmina Beatrice Rahner who went by Beatrice. Houdini was performing at a 16 year old girls birthday party when she approached him. She said she liked him, to that he replied how much, is it enough to marry me. Just like magic they were married. Beatrice stayed with Houdini till the day he died and she assisted him many time on stage and became his magic partner.]]> 2022-04-01 01:35:10 UTC https://padlet.com/mainreb000/z10mi1km8cekgqfg/wish/2124611816 mainreb000 https://padlet.com/mainreb000/z10mi1km8cekgqfg/wish/2124762985 Harry Houdini celebrate having a weekly salary of 1000$ which in that times was a lot. Modern day the average salary weekly for Americans is 930$ which is only a 70$ difference from someone considered rich. Now if we add inflation from the last 110 years to Houdini's weekly earnings would be equivalent to $29,249.07 a week. This is huge this shows how what Houdini was so excited about would be today. Ask almost any American today if they would like to have a salary of $29,249.07 weekly and they will say yes just like if you asked any American in 1912 if they would a salary of 1,000$]]> 2022-04-01 03:27:04 UTC https://padlet.com/mainreb000/z10mi1km8cekgqfg/wish/2124762985 mainreb000 https://padlet.com/mainreb000/z10mi1km8cekgqfg/wish/2124770350 Houdini's marriage skipped a lot of modern steps. These steps in include dating for a few years (typically) proposing by getting down on one knee(again typically), and even being a fiance for a while(also again typically). Houdini's marriage went hello, hi, lets get married. Although this can happen in modern America it doesn't normally and it isn't the social norm. Although norms change a lot and 110 years ago this worked and got you the girl. Most of what Houdini did social wise was much different because he was presenting to a different generation but one thing is still the same he got married. ]]> 2022-04-01 03:33:32 UTC https://padlet.com/mainreb000/z10mi1km8cekgqfg/wish/2124770350 mainreb000 https://padlet.com/mainreb000/z10mi1km8cekgqfg/wish/2124797950 2022-04-01 04:00:57 UTC https://padlet.com/mainreb000/z10mi1km8cekgqfg/wish/2124797950 mainreb000 https://padlet.com/mainreb000/z10mi1km8cekgqfg/wish/2124801915 2022-04-01 04:05:10 UTC https://padlet.com/mainreb000/z10mi1km8cekgqfg/wish/2124801915