A short history of magic

     Although the first examples of "magic" are the cave paintings found, the first examples of magic by illusion can be found as early as 2500 BCE, with the famous cups and balls trick in Ancient Egypt (allusions to it found on papyrus). Ancient Chinese text of the same era also makes allusions to a trick with magical linking rings. The rise of religion led many people to believe that such tricks were performed with black magic and were associated with the devil, and with that came the persecution of thousands of people believed to have been practicing witchcraft, until a book called The Discovery of Witchcraft revealed how many tricks were simply illusions. Street magic became popular in the 18th century, although most magicians who performed also had assistants who would pick pocket the audience while they were being distracted. It wasn't until the magician Robert-Houdin, however that magic really grew popular, as he set standards for magic that are still followed today. In fact, the famous magician that goes by the stage name Harry Houdini took his name from Robert-Houdin. Magic today is different from the past, however, in the sense that the secret to the trick, as well as how it is performed, is what's important.
     Reading this article gives me a more insightful look at magic, which will help add to the powerpoint presentation on my website. Although some of the information is the same, it also provides a new look at the past of stage illusion. Another interesting thing about this article is that it also includes information about witch hunts and cave paintings, which are examples of religious magic, and does not separate one from the other, which is something that I have also found throughout several other sources, unless I specify which type of magic (religious, theatrical, superstition, etcetera) it will always give me all types.
    Most of my questions have already been answered with this article, yet I still wonder, how will magic change in the future? It has been shown how it has changed in the past, but will it change, and if so, how? I realize that this question cannot be answered simply, but it is something that will persist throughout this project.



Citation:  "A short history of magic." Magic Zoom. N.p., n.d. Web. 13 May 2012. <http://www.magiczoom.com/history-of-magic.htm?sid=&lang_site=en>.