Magic

The art of magic involves using illusion and sleight of hand to perform various tricks and feats to entertain their audiences. Commonly called "magicians," practitioners of magic may be further classified as illusionists, escape artists, conjurers or mentalists depending on their specific brand of magic.

Fast Facts

1. The Three Wise Men are also referred to as The Three Magi (magicians)
2. Several ancient manuscripts make reference to magic
3. Ancient Egyptian and Chinese civilizations practiced magic
4. In Medieval times, magicians were known as wizards or sorcerers
5. Magic has been practiced as a profession since the mid-eighteenth century
6. Magicians often include a costume or comedy as part of their act
7. Magicians are often hired to entertain at children's parties and circuses
8. Famous magicians:
   1. Penn and Teller
   2. Harry Houdini
   3. David Blaine
   4. David Copperfield
   5. Criss Angel

Types of Illusions

1. Production: Producing something from nothing, such as pulling a rabbit out of a hat
2. Vanishing: The opposite of production; making something disappear
3. Restoration: An object is destroyed and then restored to its original state; for example, a woman is cut in half and then put back together
4. Transformation: One item is transformed into another using a combination of production and vanishing techniques
5. Levitation: A person or object is made to hover, unsupported, in the air
6. Penetration: One solid object is passed through another, such as when two solid rings are magically linked
7. Prediction: The magician makes an apparently impossible prediction—most card tricks fall into this category
8. Teleportation: An object is magically moved from one place to another

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