Who invented the zig zag illusion

Developed by: Hiroshi Kondo and Shigeru Sugawara The development of this effect started with the time-honored "Nickles to Dimes. In addition to making the coins vanish, these props allow numerous effects to be performed, including translocations and penetrations.

For this reason, this trick has been a best seller since it was first introduced. It contains all of the elements that we at Tenyo strive for when creating excellent magic: 1 it is easy enough for anyone to perform, 2 it uses everyday items, 3 it can be carried in your pocket, 4 it can be repeated, and 5 the props may be handed out for examination by spectators.

This trick has been in existence for ages, and the creator is therefore unknown. When producing these cards, we carefully considered how to mark them in such a way that the marks would be invisible to spectators, but instantly readable by the magician.

The back design we developed may indeed be the last word in marked cards. Found something wrong? Help us improve things by clicking here! Andy Martin — June 15, If you want to submit a product review click here. By continuing to use the site, you agree to the use of cookies. The cookie settings on this website are set to "allow cookies" to give you the best browsing experience possible.

If you continue to use this website without changing your cookie settings or you click "Accept" below then you are consenting to this. All Magic. In a interview, Harbin I "believe" reffered to two people ripping him off. I may be wrong though. I had at one time talked to Sommers and he still claims the zig zag as his. But there is a lot of information that is missing out of the Magic of Robert Harbin because Robert Harbin would write something down and not reread his work to make sure everything was correct.

The Genius of Harbin in many ways fills in the gaps that the first book leaves behind. The thing that pretty much nailed Sommer's posterior to a tree was the design on the front panel of the Zig-Zag. It was so close to Harbin's that there was no doubt where it came from. Terry Seabrooke and Billy McComb have a lot to say about that illusion. It is difficult to pin down when Robert Harbin first performed the Zig Zag.

It was some time after and before In he performed his act on the first US network special. He did not perform the Zig Zag. He was still performing the moving head illusion. By there is evidence that a couple of different US magicians, including Mark Wilson were performing it with Harbin's approval.

Mark performed it in the round, had the illusion spun after the mid section was pulled aside, and even pushed the illusion toward the audience so that they could see that the hand and foot were real!

Posted: Jan 21, am. Please note -- the art on the ZZ front for both the original mock-up and final was created by Billy McComb's then wife. For exact provenance and dates ask Billy -- he also was instrumental in making the McComb - Harbin Blade box I now use Really - Harbin's routine was as evident of genius as is the prop -- which suffers from too much bad handling.

Ask Pete B abkut that!!! He's seen it all!!! Gregg C. Posted: Jan 21, pm. The article on him in Genii is called "If Ever a Wizard there was". No mention of the date of the Zig-Zag in it either. Posted: Jan 22, pm. Thanks for all the input guys. Just thinking how interesting it is that, with what is possibly the most performed illusion in the world, we are not even able to pin point its date of origin.