Thinking Like a Magician
"Locks and Keys" - July 2008
Harry Houdini and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle were good friends. Doyle was a devout follower of Spiritualism, a religion whose core belief was in the ability to communicate with the spirits of the dead that also professed the ability of spirits to materialize and dematerialize. Doyle was fully devoted to the cause which is rather ironic given that his most famous creation - Sherlock Holmes - was known for using logic, deductive reasoning and rationality to solve mysteries. Houdini, a skeptic, was world famous for escaping from any and all locks, shackles and confinements. In a long telegraph, Doyle expressed to Houdini his belief that he could "dematerialize and rematerialize" in order to escape his bonds. Houdini widely renounced these assertions, stating plainly that he was able to free himself "purely by physical means." Since the time of Houdini's death, his methods have become known: usually he just had a hidden key that he would use to open the locks - a very simple, elegant method.
Difficulties in our lives can sometimes seem like a complex set of
locks. It would be nice if there was a supernatural power that
would allow us to dematerialize
and rematerialize in order to escape. But if we apply problem solving tools
in a rational manner, and we know the right key to use for any
given lock, we can
overcome most any problem and escape our bonds just like Houdini.
Trick of the Month - Locks and Keys
"The
universal key to any lock is knowledge."
- Eddie the Wire
There is a portrayal of Houdini and Doyle's friendship in the wonderful 1997 movie "Fairy Tale - A True Story." It's a fanciful telling of some true events and is well worth seeking it out. Enjoy your summer!
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