Designer: Jim Steinmeyer
Long Division is fully described and detailed in Steinmeyer’s book Technique and Understanding. Owners of this book are authorized to build and perform this illusion. You may also contact Jim Steinmeyer directly to find a recommended builder.
This version was based on David Bamberg's sawing a woman in half. Doug Henning used a variation to saw a woman in thirds and pull away her middle section. This version is a take on Bamberg's original sawing and Doug Henning's television version.
In Long Division, the lady's head doesn't project from the box. Rather the lady lies down on an uncovered table. Then a second assistant and the magician place a long box over top the lady, allowing only her feet to show. The lady then places her hands through the top of the box (not above her head, but more like in front of her face - so it's the "top" as the audience would view the boxes with the "top" facing the ceiling and the "bottom" facing the stage floor).
The magician and second assistant then place blades into the box, cutting the lady into multiple pieces. The center piece (about two and a half feet long) is removed and the lady's hands and feet are still visible.
The center section is restored and the boxes removed showing the assistant remained unharmed. For a kicker, the assistant can emerge with a torn/shredded dress to show she escaped harm, but her dress did not!