virtually a century ago , 50 ft above Downtown Pittsburgh , a mankind dangled by his ankle , a crowd of 20,000 citizenry gathering in the streets beneath him . Bound in a straitjacket , he writhed and wrench like a Pisces without air to free himself from his confines , fastened by Mayview Hospital attendants before he was hoisted into the middle of Wood St to perform his stunt . In a issue of minute , Harry Houdini , the " Handcuff King , " as he was referred in thePittsburgh Sunin 1916 , opened his arms wide in triumphant flight .
At 12 promethium on November 6th , Lee Terbosic , a magician born and bring up in Pittsburgh , will attempt the same suspend straightjacket outflow in the same spot where Houdini performed 100 years ago to the day . Terbosic has 15 geezerhood of practice under his belt , having incorporated the stunt into his own show , Bamboozled . But this time , as he suspends himself over the heart of Pittsburgh , is unlike than any of the others .
" This is my chance to touch something he did ; something great , " says Terbosic aboutHoudini 100 , the full - sidereal day event commemorating Houdini ’s lingering legacy in the Steel City . Terbosic ’s own history with Pittsburgh has played an instrumental use in his route as an entertainer , where he pop out performing his legerdemain in local Pizza Huts in rally for free pizza . From a immature age , he was taken by the art and closed book of conjuring trick and the gadget characteristic that Houdini embodied and popularized within the grade during his own clock time .
Lee Terbosic|Caulin Grant, Ben Petchel and Christy Clementi/Houdini100.com
Many magicians havetried and failedto reproduce Houdini ’s death - hold up stunts – thing like escaping a coffin buried by tight cement . Beyond his nail - biting feats , he was a ethnical phenomenon in great part due to his cockiness and tenacity . At the top of his career , Houdini strike the tagline , " unsuccessful person means expiry , " which remain his calling card 90 years after his death from an infection from a burst appendix , of all affair . But you ’ll be severely - press to ascertain a thaumaturgist that does n’t revere him as one of the greatest illusionists of all time , Terbosic among them . Harry Houdini was , and continues to be , the world ’s most striking magician ; a man who was known not only for his showmanship but also for his unadulterated deficiency of concern .
Back in the early 20th century , when Pittsburgh served as a major destination for music hall performing artist , the self - made fame would come from all over the country to perform in a self - made urban center , a thriving brand townsfolk with a penchant for the art . The Grand Opera House , now the Warner Centre , hosted Houdini during his initial performances in the metropolis between 1905 and 1908 , after he had returned from a five - twelvemonth " hitch " of Europe that had earned him the nickname " King of Handcuffs . " He apace pull in a report during his first check in Pittsburgh : he challenged the world-wide public to hear to contain him , to bind his hands with rophy . Despite various attempts and knots , no one was successful in restraining him ; he escaped again and again , " [ resist ] anyone to come on stage and bind him successfully , " consort toThe Jewish Chronicle .
His local effort became more daring with each of his return visits , among them a bounce from the Seventh Street Bridge on March 13th , 1908 . Before his 40 foot dip , Houdini was secured with steel handlock , and not long after dive into the frigid ( and steel - mill - contaminate ) Allegheny River below , Houdini come up unharmed , cuffs in hand .
haberarsiv/Youtube
Returning to Pittsburgh in 1911 for another stint of shows , Houdini was admitted to the Mercy Hospital for complicatedness resulting from a ruptured kidney . The Dr. who attended to the famed magician insist that he necessitate at least two to three months of bed ease if he should live to see the ease of the year . With three more shows still book for his remaining prison term in Pittsburgh , Houdini laughed off the doc ’s advice and uphold with his performances . For the next 15 years , Houdini sent photos and newspaper publisher clip of his performances to that Pittsburgh Doctor of the Church to remind him of the magician ’s defiance .
Unlike Houdini , however , Terbosic has accept capital condom measures contribute up to his straightjacket escape . In the early 1900s , Terbosic says , " unsuccessful person really did mean death . " For nearly four year , Terbosic has been meticulously planning this commemorative result . Terbosic recount us that he has " done the straitjacket escape nearly 1,000 times " and uses an immersion table at home to adapt to the change one ’s body goes through when hang upside down . To call him well - commit would be an understatement .
For Terbosic , Houdini 100 is about more than replicating a notable stunt . It ’s a one C in the devising ; he want to recreate the same electrical aura of prevision felt by tens of thousands on November 6th , 1916 . It ’s an opportunity to fetch together the artwork form he loves and the city that grounds him . Sunday , November 6th , 2016 , will not only be one of the largest public gatherings that Pittsburgh has take care in nearly 100 year ; it will also be a reminder of the ambitiousness that made the City of Rivers what it is today .
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Houdini100.com
Caulin Grant, Ben Petchel and Christy Clementi/Houdini100.com
Caulin Grant, Ben Petchel and Christy Clementi/Houdini100.com
