Designer: Jean Eugene Robert-Houdin
The Broom Suspension (aka "La Suspension Éthéréenne" - The Ethereal Suspension) was created by Jean Eugene Robert-Houdin.1 However, Harry Houdini claimed the effect was centuries older, writing that "the first trace of the suspension trick was discovered in the writings of Ian Batuta, who flourished about the thirteenth century."2 It's been said that Robert-Houdin was just the only person audacious enough to claim it for himself!
In this original presentation, a stick was placed into a base on the floor and a young boy (Robert-Houdin's son) placed the stick under his arm. The magician then picks up the feet of the assistant leaving them precariously balanced on the stick. For the finale, the magician lets go of the assistant's feet leaving them suspended horizontally in mid air with only the stick under their arm.1
Later a broom stick was used with the bristles pointing towards the ceiling. Other objects have since been used with the principle remaining the same.
Photo Credit: Rich Hill (color photo of Gordon and Terri Schott)
Sources
- Robert-Houdin, Jean Eugène. Memoirs of Robert-Houdin. Translated by Lascelles Wraxall, 1860, ch. XVII. Full text at the Internet Archive.
- Houdini, Harry. The Unmasking of Robert-Houdin. The Publishers Printing Co., New York, 1908, p. 226 (chapter "The Suspension Trick"). Full text at Project Gutenberg.
