History project

[kajana14948]

I'm in 10th grade and my history teacher gave us our end of the year project. The project is to create and film a video about a topic we get to choose and to explain the history of it and any impacts it's ever had on American history. As a young magician I without hesitation chose magic and I'm creating this thread for help.
- where did magic begin?
- when did it reach America?
- are there any historical or interesting events surrounding magic in America?
I don't mean to sound ignorant but I've never really looked into the history of magic up until recently.

 

[Toby]

Look up for "History of Close Up Magic" on youtube.

 

[Nicholas17]

I think, especially for a final history project, you should check out some reliable online sources or a library. The Theory11 forums might not be the best place.

Magic goes back a LONG time in terms of conjuring for entertainment (and otherwise). It's always best, for projects like this, to try to narrow your topic as much as possible. Maybe see if focusing on a magician in particular would work, like Houdini, and his influence on the history of magic in America.

 

[William Draven]

Read "Hiding the Elephant"

 

[Colin]

Hiding the Elephant was great. There are a couple of recent releases on Houdini worth checking out. Metamorphosis by Bruce Macnab and Masters of Mystery by Christopher Sanford. The first is about Houdini's early years and the second is more focused on his friendship with Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.

You should check out Magicana.com who produce beautiful books and Magicol a journal on Magic History and Collectibles. Look under publications and you will find a page on resources as well.

I have never become a member but The Conjuring Arts Research Center probably has all you need. conjuringarts.org

Is the an I.B.M. ring near where you live? Talk to some of the old members, you may find someone has a personal library that they would be will to share with you.

 

[Steerpike]

In addition to "Hiding the Elephant" there's also the biography "The Secret Life of Houdini: the Making of America's First Superhero." For the longview history, Milbourne Christopher's "The Illustrated History of Magic" is one of the best. David Blaine also touches on some history in his autobiography "Mysterious Stranger."

 

[RealityOne]

What about something the other way around - how history affects magic? That is, how magic is influenced by other events in history. Arguably, Houdini reflected the culture of the 1920's. The sawing through a woman illusion reflected different attitudes toward woman ( and yes, it had to be a woman because someone tried a bell boy and nobody cared). The great American magicians like Keller and Thurston reflected their times. Look at Doug Henning and you think "child of the 60's."

Another idea is to research a particular effect. Look up the Los Angeles Conference on Magic History. Also, there was a History Channel show called Lost Magic Decoded that looked at classic effects. There also is a lot of information in old Genii magazines (accessible if you get a subscription). Jack Gaughn has a column on old magic props. This may be more difficult to discuss the impact on history.

Conjuring Arts Research Center is good, but you will need to go to the library in New York to really find what you need. There is a lot on-line, but not what you are looking for.

There is a series on the History of Magic that is good to watch ( I got the DVDs from Netflicks). That is a good place to start.

Steinmeyer's Hiding the Elephant and The Last Greatest Magician are great books and you should read them.

 

[SamMorgan]

This may help you to add additional information: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WpPLw-yWMRo