Metamorphosis (illusion)Metamorphosis is the name of a stage illusion in which the magician and their assistant exchange places. The illusion was invented by John Nevil Maskelyne, but most often associated with famous escape artist Harry Houdini and performed to some renown (for speed) by The Pendragons, among others. It is also known amongst magicians as the Substitution Trunk (often abbreviated to "Sub Trunk").
Harry HoudiniAmerican escapologist and stuntman (1874–1926)Erik Weisz (March 24, 1874 – October 31, 1926), known professionally as Harry Houdini ( ), was an American escapologist, illusionist, and stunt performer noted for his escape acts. Houdini first attracted notice in vaudeville in the United States and then as Harry "Handcuff" Houdini on a tour of Europe, where he challenged police forces to keep him locked up.Straitjacket
Davenport brothersIra Erastus Davenport (September 17, 1839 – July 8, 1911) and William Henry Davenport (February 1, 1841 – July 1, 1877), known as the Davenport brothers, were American magicians in the late 19th century, sons of a Buffalo, New York policeman. The brothers presented illusions that they and others claimed to be supernatural. CareerThe Davenports began in 1854, less than a decade after Spiritualism had taken off in America.
Chinese Water Torture CellThe Chinese Water Torture Cell is a predicament escape made famous by Hungarian-American escape artistHarry Houdini. The illusion consists of three parts: first, the magician's feet are locked in stocks; next, he is suspended in mid-air from his ankles with a restraint brace; finally, he is lowered into a glass tank overflowing with water and the restraint is locked to the top of the cell. HistoryThe original Chinese Water Torture Cell was built in England in 1911.
John Nevil MaskelyneJohn Nevil Maskelyne (22 December 1839 – 18 May 1917) was an English stage magician and inventor of the pay toilet, along with other Victorian-era devices. He worked with magicians George Alfred Cooke and David Devant, and many of his illusions are still performed today. His book Sharps and Flats: A Complete Revelation of the Secrets of Cheating at Games of Chance and Skill is considered a classic overview of card sharp practices.HandcuffsHandcuffs are restraint devices designed to secure an individual's wrists in proximity to each other. They comprise two parts, linked together by a chain, a hinge, or rigid bar. Each cuff has a rotating arm which engages with a ratchet that prevents it from being opened once closed around a person's wrist.
Physical restraintPhysical restraint refers to means of limiting or obstructing the freedom of a person's or an animal's bodily movement. Basic methodsUsually, binding objects such as handcuffs, legcuffs, ropes, chains, straps or straitjackets are used for this purpose. In 2025, US Immigration and Customs Enforcement under the second Donald Trump administration was using a full-body restraint called the "WRAP" (or "the bag" or "the burrito") for individuals being deported.PadlockPadlocks are portable locks with a shackle that may be passed through an opening (such as a chain link, or hasp staple) to prevent , theft, vandalism or harm. Naming and etymologyThe term is from the late fifteenth century. The prefix pad- is thought to be related to the Latin ped which may refer to the portability of a padlock; it is combined with the noun lock, from Old English loc, related to German loch, "hole".
BarrelA barrel or cask is a hollow cylindrical container with a bulging center, longer than it is wide. They are traditionally made of wooden staves and bound by wooden or metal hoops. The word vat is often used for large containers for liquids, usually alcoholic beverages; a small barrel or cask is known as a keg. Barrels have a variety of uses, including storage of liquids such as water, oil, and alcohol.
AquariumAn aquarium (pl.: aquariums or aquaria) is a vivarium of any size having at least one transparent side in which aquatic plants or animals are kept and displayed. Fishkeepers use aquaria to keep fish, invertebrates, amphibians, aquatic reptiles, such as turtles, and aquatic plants. The term aquarium, coined by English naturalist Philip Henry Gosse, combines the Latin root aqua, meaning "water," with the suffix -arium, meaning "a place for relating to or connected with."*As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.