Page:Popular Science Monthly Volume 92.djvu/77

 Popxlttr Science MontJiIi/

��61

��Escaping from a Straight Jacket in Mid-Air

HARRY HOUDINI, self-styled "haiuicutf king," recently escaped from a straight jacket, while suspended by the heels, head downward, in mid- air, over Broadway, in New York City. How did he do it?

In order to escape from a straight jacket, it is necessary, first of all, to insure as large a play as possible for the arms. Hence the arms must be pressed out as forcibly as possible, while the straps attached to the hands are being pulled and buckled behind the back. Suppose that the performer is on solid ground. He first places the elbow of the arm passing under the other arm upon the floor, or upon some solid substance, and, by sheer strength, forces it over to one side — an upward pull being exerted at the same time. The position is then changed and the pressure applied to the opposite elbow — an upward pull

again being exercised. |

The arm is thrust back across the front of the body, and upward to- ward the neck. This alternate movement is carried on until enough play is obtained to wrench the arms from side to side and to work them nearer the neck. Thus "slack" is obtained to pass the strap con- necting the wrists, over the head. The buckle, by which the hands are strapped together is brought to the front, and unfastened by the teeth. The sleeves are then pulled down. Next, placing h;-" hands behind his head, the performer can undo the buckles. He can then remove the straight jacket. In mid- air the method is the same, but more difficult. There is no leverage to brace against. There- fore, hisescape is nothing short of marvelous.

����r^/s Srf>E£T ^V/LL Be Paveo ill UnOergrouna Structures Gas o/td \ Water Pi pes etc: Must' t^e put In uf once. After Cornpl^ion no permit to Cut wW b« granted for Five Yeors.

HAftffy l.OAV/S. Mi>yC»

���To save a newly paved street from ruin, Cleveland, Ohio, posts a timely warning

���Warning the Public to Leave a Newly Paved Street Alone

TO prevent the tear- ing up of newly- paved streets, Cleve- land, Ohio, has set an example which is wor- thy of serious consid- eration. Before a street is ready to receive its new covering, warnings are posted, calling the attention of the public to the fact that all un- derground pipes should be put in at once, be- cause no permits for cutting the pavement will be allowed for five years. The signs have

��Houdini, hanging over space, ready to make his spectacular escape from a straight jacket

��preventing excavating work in newly-paved streets. The people have learned that if they will use a little forethought, the streets of their city need not so constantly be broken up.

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