Do You Think Street Magicians Use Powerful Magnets For Their Levitation Tricks?
It is a high possibility, for me at least. Since we all know objects that are magnetised can be controlled to attract or repel other magnetised or non-magnetised objects, then why can’t street magicians rig the streets to do tricks like levitation?
It is possible to plant a device with controllable magnetic power and have magicians like David Blaine walk up casually and shock passers-by by ‘levitating’ when in fact, there are devices planted in his shoes which are able to interact with the device planted beneath the sidewalk.
So, this device which is similar to a levitation device in a Maglev train can be controlled to be switched on and off and have its power decreased or increased. So, as you can see – all this makes quite a believable magic trick that will surprise most people.
Of course, I am just speculating but don’t you agree the idea is feasible?
=)
The most common, and by most opinions the best, levitation is the Balducci. It’s easy, completely impromptu, require no gimmicks and if you have good crowd control, the illusion is perfect.
As one of the above poster mentioned, David Blaine used a crane for the levitation that was shown on television. This is a widely know fact in the magician community. However, he did not used a plexiglass pole for the reaction. Watch the show, you can buy it on DVD, or probably download it from somewhere. He does a levitation at the very beginning of the show for one person, on the side of a street. This is the Balducci.
As for magnets, that is a very plausible explanation. There is actually a levitation on the market that uses two very small, very high power magnets to complete the illusion of levitation. I think it’s either the Wild Levitation or the Zero Gravity Levitation. Check at penguinmagic.com (although they obviously won’t tell you which one uses magnets). I think it costs about $30-$40.
One of the best looking levitations you will find online is the King Rising Levitation from ellusionist.com. This levitation is beautiful on video, but it is a complete waste of money. It is very difficult, very convoluted, it ends VERY dirt…meaning that you have about 3-5 seconds of cleanup at the end and if anyone moves from their spot, they’ll probably see the trick. Go there and watch the videos…they look great, but they’re very misleading.
Every levitation has one thing in common: The spectators have to be looking at you from a certain angle, because you have to hide the fact that you are still standing on the ground. Despite what some people would have you believe, street magicians do not possess “real magic”…nor does anyone else in the world. There is always a trick. Furthermore, the trick is usually a lot simpler (not “easier”, but “simpler”) than you would ever believe.
I hope this helps!
Levitation happens on tv….not in real life. Levitation is not possible miss.
The thing about your hypothesis is that he would have to plant something under the sidewalk, and then get people to stop right there in order for it to work. FOX actually showed how he did his “magic levitation”. SPOILER ALERT: If you don’t want to ruin the magic, do not read on.
In actuality, he has a small clear plexiglass pole that he pushes himself up on in front of the live audience. But when he does his TV show, he does his trick to get the reaction, and then comes back later and uses a crane to fool the TV camera. Seriously.
It’s just an illusion.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Balducci_le…
Magnets are not feasible by any means.
No
Magnetic power diminishes rapidly with distance. you get the maximum power with a magnet only when it is in contact with what it is holding. If you have contact you don’t need a magnet at all. Try to find a permanent magnet that will lift even 5 pounds without touching it. But make contact and it might hold 50 lbs or more.
Your maglev has complicated circuitry and a large infrastructure to make it work.
Street magicians do not use magnets. They use a little thing called “magic” a.k.a. supernatural powers.