Harry Houdini's Accomplishments

Harry Houdini was one of the most popular and accomplished magician during the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries and to this day his name is associated with magic and illusion. Not only was he able to obtain the American Dream by moving from Austria-Hungary to Wisconsin and becoming a very successful man, he changed the game of magic forever by performing impossible tricks and dangerous stunts. Although most of his performances toyed with death, he attracted all audiences and thrilled his crowds. Known for slipping out of ropes, chains, and handcuffs, Houdini became a world famous magician and escape artist who influenced many of the magicians we know today.

Houdini had begun his life as a performer in his youth. He made his public

debut as a trapeze artist at only 9 years old and in the following years he began showing his acts to engaged audiences. His acts, along with other small jobs, helped to support his family. However, at age twelve he ran away to New York to pursue an interest in magic (“The Great harry houdini”). There he met his wife and joined a circus where he perfected his famous escape tricks. One of his greatest escape acts, the chinese water torture cell escape, is arguably the most dangerous act of all time ("Harry Houdini's 10 Greatest Stunts"). This accomplishment opened the door to many more escapes that would cause Houdini to be the greatest escape artist of all time. Such acts like the well known milk can escape or the popular straightjacket escape were often imitated by other illusionists seeking fame.
Houdini's rise to success and fame were followed by many accomplishments outside of card tricks and being able to escape chains and handcuffs. In 1923, he was made the President of America’s oldest magic company, Martinka & Co. where he sought to create a large, unified national network of professional and amateur magicians. He also became the first person to make a successful controlled power flight over Australian soil in 1910. Even after his death he was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, at 7001 Hollywood Boulevard, posthumously in 1975 ("Who Is Harry Houdini? Everything You Need To Know"). While his entertainment career was at its peak, Houdini also launched his literary and filmographic career by debuting in filmmaking with a documentary of his escapes and releasing a few books explaining some of his basic tricks.
While his accomplishments and successes confirm that Harry Houdini was the most popular magician, illusionist, escape artist, and overall entertainer of his time, there are many other reasons his name is still a household word almost 90 years after his death.

While his shows attracted audiences seeking curiosity and danger, he also caught the attention of immigrants hoping to prosper in America. He tried to show them, that someone not from America would be able to build a sustainable job for himself ("American Dream And Freedom").He gave them the chance to believe that there was freedom which is how he got so big, fame wise, he used the American dream as his starting point. Perhaps one of his greatest accomplishments was achieving the american dream and achieving prosperity and success. Although he was from the low class of america, he was able to support his family through his hard work and passion for magic. Houdini is also considered one of the greatest because of his many contributions to the magic industry that changed the game of magic completely. Most of his performances were his own original ideas and since then they have been imitated and used by other magicians. Since his ideas were being copied, he needed to create impossible tricks that were life threatening and challenging to even watch. This creation of new ideas and unimaginable stunts are what made him a unique character and an outstanding performer. Houdini’s popularity sprouted from spectators wanting to see him risk his life, a task other performers of his time weren't willing to take on. His originality, extensive imagination, and devotion to the industry made him the most popular and accomplished magician who stood out amongst the others of his

time.
Harry Houdini was a prominent historical figure in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries due to his many accomplishments and worldwide fame. His performances paved the way for magicians and escape artists forever and will continue to be a popular name affiliated with all things surrounding magic. Although he was dedicated to escaping situations that seemed impossible, his performances and achievements will never escape the history of the world and will forever be magic’s greatest visionary.