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Psycho: Difference between revisions

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[[Psycho]] was an [[Automaton]] created by [[John Nevil Maskelyne]] first shown to audiences in January of 1875.   
[[Psycho]] was an [[Automaton]] created by [[John Nevil Maskelyne]] first shown to audiences in January of [[1875]].   


Psycho looked like a miniature man, dressed in Hindu garb with an turban. He sat cross-legged on a wooden chest. The chest sat up on a clear glass cylinder. Under his hand was a rack for thirteen playing cards.  The wooden chest he sat on, would be opened and shown that it was much too small to conceal a person.   
Psycho looked like a miniature man, dressed in Hindu garb with an turban. He sat cross-legged on a wooden chest. The chest sat up on a clear glass cylinder. Under his hand was a rack for thirteen playing cards.  The wooden chest he sat on, would be opened and shown that it was much too small to conceal a person.   
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Psycho would by a card game of whist by moving his hand along the rack of cards in from of him, lifting a card and handing it to Maskelyne to play.
Psycho would by a card game of whist by moving his hand along the rack of cards in from of him, lifting a card and handing it to Maskelyne to play.


Maskelyne filled the [[Egyptian Hall]] theater presenting Psycho and it was much debated in the press about whether it was a pure mechanical invention or not. By September 2nd 1878, Psycho had already given 2,000performances.
Maskelyne filled the [[Egyptian Hall]] theater presenting Psycho and it was much debated in the press about whether it was a pure mechanical invention or not. By September 2nd 1878, Psycho had already given 2,000 performances.


== References ==
== References ==
* Professor Hoffmann's [[Modern Magic]], Chapter IV.
* [[Professor Hoffmann]]'s [[Modern Magic]], Chapter IV.
* [[Hiding the Elephant]] By Jim Steinmeyer
* [[Hiding the Elephant]] By [[Jim Steinmeyer]]
 
[[Category:Illusions]]
[[Category:Illusions]]

Latest revision as of 03:32, 2 May 2011

Psycho was an Automaton created by John Nevil Maskelyne first shown to audiences in January of 1875.

Psycho looked like a miniature man, dressed in Hindu garb with an turban. He sat cross-legged on a wooden chest. The chest sat up on a clear glass cylinder. Under his hand was a rack for thirteen playing cards. The wooden chest he sat on, would be opened and shown that it was much too small to conceal a person.

Psycho would by a card game of whist by moving his hand along the rack of cards in from of him, lifting a card and handing it to Maskelyne to play.

Maskelyne filled the Egyptian Hall theater presenting Psycho and it was much debated in the press about whether it was a pure mechanical invention or not. By September 2nd 1878, Psycho had already given 2,000 performances.

References