Page 26 - All About History 48 - 2017 UK
P. 26

DAREDEVILS











                                                                                                                      CRANE
                                                                                                                 HANGING AROUND
                                                                                                  Performing the escape while hanging upside
                                                                                                  down meant the escapologist got a little help
                                                                                                     from gravity, as the arms could be pulled
                                                                                                  over the head more easily. It also looked more
                                                                                                   daring, and when performed above the city
                                                                                                   streets, drew enormous crowds and media
                                                                                                         attention to help promote the act.











        ACCOMPLICE

        THESNEAKYASSISTANT
        Iftheescapologistthoughttheymightneeda                                                         BUCKLES AND STRAPS
        littleextrahelpwiththeirescape,anaccomplice
        would secretly ‘palm’ them a cutting tool as they                                                            ALLTIEDUP
        shook their hand before the jacket was secured.                                                    The straightjacket, made from
        The tool could then be concealed and used to                                                      heavycanvasandtoughleather,
        discreetly sever the straps and buckles.                                                         hadstrapsthatloopedaroundthe
                                                                                                         escapologist’s neck and chest and
                                                                                                         were fastened behind their back.
                                                                                                          Oncethearmshadbeenpulled
                                                                                                        over the head, the buckles could be
                                                                                                        undone with the hands and teeth.


        SLACK                                                                                               STRAIGHTJACKET

        ADDEDWIGGLEROOM                                                                                       RESTRICTIVE CLOTHING
        As the jacket was being fastened, the                                                          When escaping from a straightjacket
        escapologist would pinch and pull the                                                         supplied by someone else, a little more
        materialandtakeadeepbreathtoexpand                                                            time, and a concealed cutting tool, were
        theirchest.Thishelpedtocreatemoreroom                                                         usually required. However if the jacket
        insideoncetheyhadexhaled.Theythen                                                             was the escapologist’s own, it often had
        simply used their strength, stamina and a                                                       longer sleeves and simpler straps to
        few clever manoeuvres to wriggle free.





                                                                                                               AWORKPLACEINJURY
                                                                                                             When a straightjacket was
        HIDDENHELP                                                                                        proving particularly difficult to
                                                                                                         escape from, escapologists would
        THE PERFECT HIDING PLACE                                                                         sometimes dislocate one or both
                                                                                                          shoulders to create more slack.
        Any cutting tools or keys needed to
                                                                                                         This was typically only used as a
        help with the escape could be hidden
                                                                                                          last resort, but did make it easier
        in several ingenious places without the
                                                                                                                     to break free.
        audience’s knowledge. For example,
      © Kevin McGivern  finger, concealed in the escapologist’s
        they might be placed inside a false
        hair, or stuck inside a hollowed-out
        compartment in their shoe.
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