What was the first magic trick in the world?

Magic and sorcery have fascinated humanity for millennia. The idea that someone is able to defy the laws of nature and do the seemingly impossible has always amazed people. Magic tricks are an integral part of human culture and history. But which trick was actually the first in history and what other magic tricks have been performed for centuries?

The oldest magic trick in the world is believed to come from Egypt (around 2500 BC). One of the first recorded magicians was Dedi. It is disputed whether Dedi was a historical figure or a fictional character. Some of his described effects seem impossible, while another one reminds us of the illusions of later magicians. Dedi was said to be able to tame wild lions in a short time and to cut off and reattach the head of a goose, so that the goose came back to life. The Pharaoh Cheops wanted to see him perform the same trick on a prisoner, but Dedi refused. Instead, he performed it on a bull. While the execution with a bull seems very difficult and unrealistic to me, the cutting off and reattaching of a goose or chicken head is a widespread magical effect that could have been easily performed 4000 years ago. This makes it the oldest magic trick in the world. Fortunately, this kind of effect is no longer popular for animal welfare reasons. But a modern version of this effect, in which no animal is harmed, is shown by David Blaine.

In Egyptian history, there are numerous stories about other magicians who performed magic tricks similar to those of Dedi. Temple priests used various magical effects to impress the subjects of the pharaohs and to strengthen their power and influence. They used principles of physics and mechanics that appeared like magic to the uneducated. 

For a long time, it was believed that the cups and balls trick was already known, which is still used to deceive and entertain people today. A drawing in the tomb of Baket III. suggests this. However, it is now known that this is not the case. The surrounding hieroglyphs deal with a culinary process and the supposed image of the cups and balls fits into this.

Although the wall painting in Baket III’s tomb does not depict the “cups and balls” routine, we can be sure that it was performed by the Romans. This is because Seneca the Younger mentioned this trick in his letters to Lucilius, which were written around 65 AD. The “cups and balls” trick is considered one of the oldest magic tricks in history and is still popular today. Originally, cups and balls were used, but over time, other objects like dice were used as well. Magicians carried their tools in a bag around their waist, which was a practical way to hide and retrieve the balls. The cup and ball game was performed in many parts of the world, including the Middle East and various parts of Asia. A charming and entertaining version of this cup and ball trick is performed by Tommy Wonder.

In medieval Europe, magic was often associated with witchcraft and devil worship and was condemned. Nevertheless, there were also magicians in this era who were appreciated for their skill and entertainment. Often, they were jugglers and sleight-of-hand artists who amazed the audience with their magic, but also cheated them out of their money. This is clearly shown in this painting by Hieronymus Bosch from around 1502. The man who is distracted by the cup and ball game is being robbed by a pickpocket.

In the 19th century, magic underwent significant development. Magicians began to create elaborate illusions and stage shows that were often accompanied by music and dance. Two important magicians of this time were Ramo Samee and Robert Houdin.

Ramo Samee was an Indian juggler and magician who performed in Europe and the United States. He is considered the first “modern” professional juggler. Samee was known for his impressive juggling skills and his dramatic white costume. He performed dangerous tricks such as swallowing needles and swords, as well as eating fire. In the early 1810s, Samee performed a trick in which he put a handful of beads into his mouth and “swallowed” a thread. He then pulled out the beads, threaded on the string, one by one from his mouth. Another member of his troupe took the trick further and swallowed needles instead of beads. A modern version is shown by David Blaine. Warning, the following video is not for the faint of heart:

Robert Houdin was a famous French magician and watchmaker of the 19th century. He is considered the father of modern magic and influenced many famous magicians such as Harry Houdini, who named himself after Houdin. Houdin developed many new magic tricks and also incorporated mechanical gadgets into his performances, which he made in his own workshop. He also had a great influence on the staging of magic tricks by making the environment of his performances more elaborate and mysterious. He brought magic from the streets to the salons and helped make it a recognized form of stage art.

Houdin used his magic tricks to prevent an uprising against French colonial rule in Algeria. The members of a local tribe believed in the magic of their own priests. The French government asked Houdin to travel there and demonstrate that the French could perform more powerful magic. He performed a trick with a small box on stage. Houdin explained that the box could be lifted by a child, but that he could take away the strength of anyone present to lift it. When he invited a strong man to the stage and this man failed to lift the box that Houdin had lifted easily before, the Arab audience was shocked and convinced of his power. The secret behind this effect was a strong electromagnet hidden under the stage that could be turned on and off, holding the box to the ground. In later newspaper articles, the French informed the Algerians that this magic was based on tricks and that the magic of the Algerian priests was nothing more than sleight of hand tricks, and that an uprising against the French was hopeless. Thus, Houdin helped prevent the uprising.

His most famous effect is the “Orange Tree,” which amazed the audience at the time and still fascinates today.

In the following years, some of the most famous magic tricks were invented, such as the “sawing a woman in half” trick. This effect was so successful that it was copied many times and it is now difficult to say who invented the first version. However, many of the original versions differ from today’s versions in one important aspect:

They had a motivation.

Originally, “sawing a woman in half” was the finale of a magic show in which the assistant had annoyed the magician and disrupted the effects with a bored attitude. The magician became increasingly irritated by her during the show, until he was so angry that he locked her in a box and sawed her in half to the horror of the audience. Only when he put her back together again could the audience breathe a sigh of relief. They were delighted to discover that they had witnessed a magic trick and not a murder. Many present-day versions of this trick do not have this motivation. This is why one wonders why the assistant is regularly sawn in half, pierced, and locked in small boxes. Many magicians do not know any better. They would do well to learn from their predecessors in the past and not only copy their effects, but also develop a suitable story to go with them.

Since then, magic has continued to evolve. New techniques and the rapid development of technology are also reflected in magic tricks. Video effects or laser projections are no longer uncommon.

One of the most successful modern magicians is David Copperfield. He shows impressively how the “sawing a woman in half” trick can be presented in a modern way and given meaning. In this case, it’s a seemingly failed escape effect that captivates the audience.

Magic tricks have been part of human culture since ancient times. Some of the oldest known tricks, like the “cup trick”, are still popular and performed by magicians all over the world. They are not just a form of entertainment, but also a reflection of society. The way magic tricks have developed and been presented over time reflects cultural and technological changes. These transformations also show how societal norms and values have changed. Magic tricks have a special place in today’s entertainment industry and inspire people all over the world. It remains to be seen what new technologies and innovations will emerge in the future to fascinate audiences.