Dai Vernon

Dai Vernon (born David Frederick Wingfield Verner June 11 1894 in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada - died 1992 in Hollywood, California) was a Canadian magician. He was nicknamed Dai after a newspaper mistyped his name instead of calling him David. Among magicians he is also known as The Professor and The Man Who Fooled Houdini. Harry Houdini often boasted that he could not be fooled if he saw a card trick performed three times. Vernon performed a version of a trick called Ambitious card for Houdini three times, and Houdini could not figure out how it had been done. Vernon used the "Man Who Fooled Houdini" for years following this in his advertisements.

Related Topics:
June 11 - 1894 - Ottawa - Ontario - Canada - 1992 - Hollywood - California - Magician - Harry Houdini - Ambitious card

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Vernon was the most influential close-up magician of the 20th century. Among magicians, he is credited with inventing or improving many standard close-up effects with cards, coins, and other small items. The "standard" Cups and balls routine is his, and his 5-ring "Symphony of the Rings" remains one of the most popular Chinese linking rings routines in use to this day.

Related Topics:
20th century - Cups and balls - Chinese linking rings

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Vernon spent the last thirty years of his life as Magician-in-Residence at the world-famous Magic Castle in Los Angeles, California. There he mentored numerous well-known magicians including Ricky Jay, Doug Henning, Bruce Cervon, Larry Jennings, and John Carney.

Related Topics:
Magic Castle - Los Angeles - Ricky Jay - Doug Henning - Bruce Cervon - Larry Jennings - John Carney

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