Magic, Stage Illusions and Scientific Diversions, Including Trick Photography

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

45235

Title

Magic, Stage Illusions and Scientific Diversions, Including Trick Photography

Language

en

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

This 1897 compendium by Albert A. Hopkins exposes the scientific principles behind stage magic, theatrical illusions, and trick photography. Featuring contributions from Henry Ridgely Evans, it details the mechanics of famous illusions by Robert-Houdin, Kellar, and others, alongside ancient automata and theatrical secrets.

Summary up to 500 words

Compiled and edited by Albert A. Hopkins, *Magic, Stage Illusions and Scientific Diversions, Including Trick Photography* serves as a definitive bridge between entertainment and science, revealing the ingenious applications of optics, mechanics, sound, and electricity utilized by *fin de siècle* magicians. Published in 1897, this unique volume is divided into five comprehensive books that explore the mechanics behind the mystique of magic. The work opens with an introduction by Henry Ridgely Evans, tracing the history of magic from ancient Egyptian temple rituals to modern necromancy. Book I details specific stage illusions, explaining the secrets behind mysterious disappearances, optical tricks such as the three-headed woman, and classic conjuring feats involving eggs, coins, and magic cabinets. It also covers ventriloquism, shadowgraphy, and mental magic. Book II delves into ancient magic, describing Greek temple machinery, miraculous vessels, precursors to Heron's steam engine, and early automata. Book III examines the science of the theater, offering detailed explanations of stage construction, electric lighting, special effects like sunsets and lightning, and the complex mechanics behind operatic scenes in Wagner's *Siegfried*. It further describes aquatic theaters and cycloramas. Book IV focuses on automata and curious toys, including chess-playing automatons and various optical illusions, while Book V explores photographic diversions. This section details trick photography, chronophotography for analyzing movement, and early moving picture projection devices like the Kinetoscope and Mutoscope. The volume includes a comprehensive bibliography and index, serving as both an entertaining read and a practical reference for students of psychology and modern magic. Through its exhaustive exposés, the book demystifies the art of prestidigitation, showing how scientific principles were pressed into service to create wonder.

LLM editorial rating

4.2/5

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Downloaded at

2026-07-08 08:23 UTC

Categories

• Science
• Magic