Born as Ehrich Weiss, Harry Houdini was the most famous magician of all time, best known for his escape tricks. He explained some of the tricks in his books, revealing the secrets and abilities he used to perform his acts. His famous escape acts included handcuffs, ropes, straitjackets and a milk can.
Handcuffs
Escaping from handcuffs was one of Houdini's first feats. Although he was not the first magician to use this escape act, he fined-tuned it over the years. The "Handcuff King" used a combination of knowledge, skill and trickery. Because he studied locks, he was familiar with the mechanism of handcuffs. During his shows, he would smuggle a key into the cell and reach it with special rods or with his teeth. In his book "Handcuff Secrets," he even explained how you can open a lock using only a shoelace.
Ropes
Houdini used his physical strength, endurance and trickery to escape from ropes. He especially emphasized the importance of the tying-up process. He claimed that there is no way to tie a man in a standing position so that he cannot escape. According to Houdini, only the first knots are tied firmly; the rest are loose enough to squirm out of. When the first knots were tight, he used a hidden knife with a hook-shaped blade.
Straitjacket
Houdini's straitjacket escape was different from his handcuff and rope escapes because he performed this act in full view. First, he would free his arms with a special elbow technique. The next step was to undo the buckles of the straps using his teeth. Then he could use his hands to undo the buckles at the back and take off the straitjacket.
Milk Can
The milk can escape was one of Houdini's easiest feats, but also one of his most dramatic. The secret was in the construction of the can. He would squeeze himself into a milk can and his assistant would put the cover on and lock it. The can was filled with water and Houdini was handcuffed. After two minutes, he would appear on the stage. He was able to free himself with hidden keys so he could open the upper portion of the can, leaving the lid intact. The next step was to replace the top onto the lower portion and escape behind the curtain.
