Virtual Exhibitions

Houdini versus the frauds

Houdini never made claims of supernatural abilities. His work involved both intense physical exertion and precise sleight-of-hand, and he was so confident that no other performer could match his feats that he revealed many of his techniques in various books and magazine articles. He also issued a challenge 'to any medium in the world', offering $10,000 to anyone who could offer solid evidence before an audience of any psychic ability. In the last years of his life Houdini dedicated himself to the cause of exposing charlatans, and even worked with the New York Police Department to brief them on the working methods of fake mediums and con artists. He spent much of his time studying psychic phenomena, and refused to consider himself a sceptic — he was waiting for proof before he would become a believer.

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