Título: Harry Houdini
Seção: Mirror challenge
Background: Erik Weisz was born in Budapest to a Jewish family. His parents were Rabbi Mayer Samuel Weisz (1829-1892) and Cecilia Steiner (1841-1913). Houdini was one of seven children: Herman M. (1863-1885) who was Houdini's half-brother, by Rabbi Weisz's first marriage; Nathan J. (1870-1927); Gottfried William (1872-1925); Theodore (1876-1945); Leopold D. (1879-1962); and Carrie Gladys (1882-1959), who was left almost blind after a childhood accident. Weisz arrived in the United States on July 3, 1878, on the SS Fresia with his mother (who was pregnant) and his four brothers.

Conteúdo: In 1904, the London Daily Mirror newspaper challenged Houdini to escape from special handcuffs that it claimed had taken Nathaniel Hart, a locksmith from Birmingham, five years to make. Houdini accepted the challenge for March 17 during a matinee performance at London's Hippodrome theater. It was reported that 4000 people and more than 100 journalists turned out for the much-hyped event. The escape attempt dragged on for over an hour, during which Houdini emerged from his "ghost house" (a small screen used to conceal the method of his escape) several times. On one occasion he asked if the cuffs could be removed so he could take off his coat. The Mirror representative, Frank Parker, refused, saying Houdini could gain an advantage if he saw how the cuffs were unlocked. Houdini promptly took out a pen-knife and, holding the knife in his teeth, used it to cut his coat from his body. Some 56 minutes later, Houdini's wife appeared on stage and gave him a kiss. Many thought that in her mouth was the key to unlock the special handcuffs. However, it has since been suggested that Bess did not in fact enter the stage at all, and that this theory is unlikely due to the size of the 6-inch key Houdini then went back behind the curtain. After an hour and ten minutes, Houdini emerged free. As he was paraded on the shoulders of the cheering crowd, he broke down and wept. Houdini later said it was the most difficult escape of his career.  After Houdini's death, his friend Martin Beck was quote

user: What was the Mirror challenge?

assistant: challenged Houdini to escape from special handcuffs that it claimed had taken Nathaniel Hart,

user: Who challenged Houdini?

assistant: London Daily Mirror newspaper

user: Who was Nathaniel Hart?

assistant: a locksmith from Birmingham,

user: What was special about the handcuffs?

assistant: five years to make.

user: When did he complete the challenge?

assistant: March 17

user: Where did he do it?

assistant: London's Hippodrome theater.

user: How much money did he earn for his performance?

assistant: CANNOTANSWER

user: What recognition did he get for performing the challenge?

assistant: After Houdini's death, his friend Martin Beck was quoted in Will Goldston's book, Sensational Tales of Mystery Men, as admitting that Houdini was bested that day

user: How was he bested?

assistant: found evidence (notably in the custom design of the handcuffs) that the Mirror challenge may have been arranged by Houdini

user: What evidence did they find?

assistant: notably in the custom design of the handcuffs