Harry Houdini

Harry Houdini granted a short interview to Edna Ferber of the Appleton (Wis.) Crescent in July 1904, after the 19-year-old reporter encountered him at a local drugstore. “Now, don't you exaggerate just a little bit when you are giving your performances?” she asked.

“Well, I fail to see how any exaggeration would help me,” responded Houdini. “The chain and bolts and bars and handcuffs are of iron and steel, and I shouldn't care to exaggerate those.  My secret?  Well certainly it is a trick of my own.  No house or bank would be safe from prying hands if I revealed it to the world.  I should be doing a great wrong to give it up, for nothing would be safe.”

To learn more about Harry Houdini, read his profile on findingDulcinea.