Tomorrow marks the day that Houdini first performed the Water Torture Cell. It was April 29, 1911 that Houdini performed the escape in South Hampton, as part of a 1 act play with 2 scenes called Challenged or Houdini Upside Down.
So today, I thought I would share the actual challenge from the play:
Dear Sir,
We the undersigned members of the Eccentric Club, hereby challenge you to escape from the aquarium we have in the lounge-room at our clubhouse, into which we intend to place, you, under the following conditions:
First of all, we have constructed a lid or cover, to fit over this aquarium, which separates in the middle, as per drawing herewith:
This cover will be fitted with four locks, such as are used on traveling trunks, with long brass hasps. We intend locking your feet in this cover, after which we place around this cover a metal square so that, even if the locks were opened, you could not possibly release your feet.
On this metal square we will have rings placed and, after we have you securely locked into this cover, we will place two locks in these rings, fastened to a cable and, with the aid of derrick or winch, we will hoist you up into the air, turn you in an upside-down position, and place you over the aquarium.
We will then lower you down into the aquarium, head first. Excluding the possibility of your breathing when under water, we will proceed to lock the lid down to the aquarium at each corner, making use of our locks and as many of these as we see fit.
We will allow you make use of any covering or drapery you wish, and allow you in this way to conceal your methods of escape.
In the event of any accident occurring which will prevent your making your escape, we are not to be held responsible for this accident in any shape or form.
If you manage to release yourself and make your escape, we stand willing to pay the sum of L1,000 which we have deposited as a side-bet. You may attempt this feat either publicly or privately, as you see fit. We demand the right to select our own committee, and you can select a like number of gentlemen to represent you.
Trusting to hear from you, we remain
I find the description of the first Water Torture Cell and cover with a metal square placed around it very interesting.
I wonder what happened to this prototype?
Special Thanks to George Goebel for sharing the play with illustrations during our very special visit.
Note: The one act play and its two scenes can be read in its entirety in Patrick Culliton’s excellent books, Houdini’s Strange Tales (collection of fiction by the legendary Harry Houdini) and Houdini – the Key.
Bonus:
A one of a kind broadside for this challenge sold at Potter & Potter Auction yesterday.
Great stuff! Love the Goebel illustrations. Although it appears to be the stage setting for Houdini’s regular USD presentation and not necessarily the play (it’s the Alhambra). But interesting that they’re still calling it an “aquarium”. What’s the thing up front that looks like it says “oil skin bay”?
The “metal square” I think is a referencing to the lifting frame that the stocks sit in. You’ll recall this was on upside down in the Canada museum.
Thanks!
Thanks! The written play lists Scene Two as the Stage of the Alhambra Music Hall, but as we know, he actually presented the play at the Southampton Hippodrome.
It says “oil skin bag”, which was the rubber bag mentioned in the broadside that says “he is securely fastened and in this condition is thrown into a tank of water, which is afterwards securely fastened.” The escape from the “oil skin bag” in a “box filled with water” is completely separate from the Aquarium Challenge.
Excellent points on the “metal square”.
Oh, it’s supposed to BE the Alhambra. Got it. And the oil skin bag for the other thing, right. Awesome.
There doesn’t appear to be USD cells left behind cuz Harry destroyed/cannibalized them as he built the next improved version. It broke down like a Lego kit and parts could be discarded.