On August 26, 1907, Harry Houdini carried out one of his most famous escapes in San Francisco, plunging into the bay with his hands handcuffed behind his back and more than 75 pounds of ball and chain attached to his body.
The stunt took place at Aquatic Park as Houdini continued to build his reputation as one of the world’s most celebrated escape artists.
Freedom in less than a minute
Houdini disappeared beneath the water before freeing himself from the restraints. He emerged after just 57 seconds, completing the escape in front of spectators who had gathered to watch the extraordinary stunt.
The performance came during a period when Houdini was performing in San Francisco and attracting major attention for his ability to escape from handcuffs, chains and other restraints.
Contemporary newspaper coverage also highlighted his growing fame in the city. On August 26, 1907, the San Francisco Call reported on his handcuff performances at the Orpheum, where he challenged members of the public to provide restraints for him to escape from.
A lasting legacy
The San Francisco stunt became one of the memorable feats associated with Houdini’s career. He would return to the city several times, including in 1915, when he performed another underwater escape involving a wooden box lowered into the bay.
More than a century later, Houdini’s 57-second escape remains a striking example of the dangerous and highly publicised challenges that helped make him a legend of escapology.
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