HISTORY OF FOCUSES
The art of illusions (tricks) originated in ancient Egypt about five thousand years ago. Magicians of that time made jewels disappear and appear, decapitated geese. During tricks, huge statues of gods crawled out of the ground. These statues could stretch out their hands to the people, the statues could even cry. Such performances were considered either divine power or the power of darkness.
IN medieval Europe magic tricks were considered witchcraft and magicians paid for this with their lives.
In the 18th century, in Germany and Holland, the performances of a self-styled "wizard" who called himself Oches Bohes and used the pseudonym "Hocus Pocus" were very popular. During the “bazaar sorcery”, he used the confused phrases “hocus pocus, tone talonus, vade celeriter” in order to divert the attention of the audience.
This "spell" was immediately picked up by other magicians and after a while became calling card all illusionists.
In the 18th century, in England, illusionists and magicians gain some recognition and position in society. Thanks to this, hundreds of professional magicians appeared by the end of the 18th and beginning of the 19th centuries. And the so-called "scientific" tricks, that is, tricks that can be explained with scientific point vision.
Features of mathematical tricks.
Mathematical games and tricks appeared along with the emergence of mathematics as a science.
Even in Ancient Hellas, personality development was not conceived without games. Our ancestors knew chess and checkers, puzzles and riddles.
We all know the great Russian poet M.Yu. Lermontov, but not everyone knows that he was a great lover of mathematics, he was especially attracted to mathematical tricks, which he knew a great many, and some of them he invented himself.
Mathematical tricks are interesting precisely because each trick is based on the properties of numbers, actions, and mathematical laws. There are a lot of mathematical tricks, they can be found in separate books for extracurricular activities Mathematics, you can come up with your own.
The main theme of arithmetic tricks is guessing the intended numbers or the results of operations on them. The whole secret of tricks is that the "guesser" knows and knows how to use the special properties of numbers, but the thinker does not know these properties.
The mathematical interest of every trick is to expose it theoretical foundations, which in most cases are quite simple, but are sometimes cleverly disguised.
Like many other subjects that are at the intersection of two disciplines, mathematical tricks do not receive special attention from either mathematicians or magicians. The first tend to regard them as empty fun, the second neglect them as too boring. Mathematical tricks, to put it bluntly, do not belong to the category of tricks that can keep an audience of non-mathematicians spellbound; such tricks usually take a lot of time, and they are not very effective; on the other hand, there is hardly a person who is going to draw deep mathematical truths from their contemplation.
And yet, mathematical tricks, like chess, have their own special charm. Chess combines the elegance of mathematical construction with the pleasure that the game can deliver. In mathematical tricks, the elegance of mathematical constructions is combined with amusement. It is not surprising, therefore, that they bring the greatest pleasure to those who are simultaneously familiar with both of these areas. trick math illusion
Mathematical tricks - the most favorite entertainment of the 17th-18th centuries. The ability to guess the intended number, the result of arithmetic operations, was considered in those days almost witchcraft. Many did not know that these guesses are based on very simple properties some numbers and mathematical operations. However, even now mathematical tricks are great entertainment, they cause sincere amazement and general interest, and most importantly - contribute to the formation logical thinking schoolchildren, instill in them a love for mathematics, show the wonderful possibilities of this science.
Currently, there is a huge number of the most diverse mathematical tricks, which are based on various mathematical theories, as well as the properties of the involved items ( dice, cards, dominoes, calendars, etc.).
Illusion how art appeared in times ancient egypt. This is evidenced by a lot of facts and evidence. The first "review" of the illusionist's session is written on papyrus, which describes the performance of Chatcha-Em-Ankh before King Hu-Fu.
Magicians of that time made jewels disappear and appear, decapitated geese, and then grew their heads back, also with the help of these “forces” a lot of things disappeared from the people in the crowd and turned out to be available to the magician, while he was always in sight. Thus, according to the “will of the gods”, huge gates were thrown open, huge statues of these gods crawled out of the ground, these statues could stretch out their hands to the people (blessing the people), the statue could even cry. Also in Ancient Greece people experienced wild delight and admiration for various tricks, especially for "global" illusions in which large and powerful mechanisms were used. Even the trick with glasses and balls, which many professional illusionists still include in their repertoire, was described by the Roman Seneca as early as the 1st century AD.
But, as history knows, then such demonstrations and performances were often considered both divine power or a gift, and collusion with the forces of darkness, and those who demonstrated them, most often, were priests, sorcerers or prophets. Thus, the art of illusion, in those days, was most often used to manipulate the people. The most terrible of them was the Hindu trick. The magician threw high into the air the end of the rope, which was lost in the sky. The boy who helped him climbed up the rope and immediately disappeared from sight. The sorcerer called to the boy, but there was no answer. Then he himself, taking a knife, climbed up and also disappeared. Then the audience heard the noise of the struggle, and saw how pieces of the cut boy's body fell to the ground ... After a while, the sorcerer calmly went downstairs with a bloody knife. Then he folded the pieces of the boy's torso, and the body came to life!
The craft of a magician could also be punishable by death - in medieval Europe, tricks were considered witchcraft and magicians paid for this with their lives, but even under such circumstances there were craftsmen who quickly subordinated God-fearing people to their influence.
The Disco-verie of Witchcraft, by an author named Reginald Scott, is considered by many to be the first debunking book to reveal the secrets of many tricks performed with dexterity rather than dark forces. The book revealed the secrets of many well-known tricks associated with coins, cards or ropes. However, the book was not the first revealing manual, but, on the contrary, the first textbook for magicians!
In the 18th century, in England, illusionists and magicians gain some recognition and position in society. At that time, the illusionist had wide fame and celebrity, having earned it by performing tricks right in front of everyone - in fair booths and at dinner parties.
So by the end of the 18th and beginning of the 19th centuries, hundreds of professional magicians appeared. And the so-called “scientific” tricks, those tricks that the performer (who represented himself as a doctor or professor) explained from a scientific point of view, are gaining wide popularity. For example, Jean-Eugene Robert-Houdin explained his trick with levitation as the properties of gas (ether). In fact, gas has nothing to do with the trick, but at that time people were quite sure that it was only this gas. And later called V'father contemporary focus V", but the most interesting thing in his biography is that he became a professional only at the age of 60. Robert Houdin was also an excellent inventor who improved both the technique of many tricks and the props used for them. Oudin became a legendary figure and the illusionist profession owes much of its popularity to him.
So by the beginning of the 19th century, many groups of magicians and illusionists appeared in the USA and Europe, who very often toured, giving performances in the most different theaters. And in 1873, in London, a certain illusionist opens the first permanent Circus of tricks, which existed for another 40 years.
The 20th century in the history of the development of the art of tricks and illusions becomes the most “fruitful”, since such great illusionists appear in the world as who successfully became famous in tricks with levitation and mind reading, Americans and who became famous in card tricks and also, Walter Hince, Percy Shelbit and, of course,
In 1584, an Englishman named Reginald Scott, in The Disco-verie of Witchcraft, probably first tried to show how magic tricks are performed - thanks to sleight of hand, and not with the help of the devil. His book explained the secrets of many tricks, in particular with coins, cards and ropes. Curiously, the author wrote the book with the intention of "exposing" the secrets of magicians, and instead it became the first textbook for beginner magicians!
And although "tricking" was not considered a worthy occupation, crowds of enthusiastic spectators gathered to gawk at sword swallowers or "thinking" animals. In 18th century England, conjurers and magicians gained some recognition and position in society. Isaac Fawkes was considered the most famous illusionist of that time. He made a name for himself doing his stunts. close-up", almost in front of the audience - in fair booths and at dinner parties with wealthy nobles. Late XVIII - early XIX century - the time of the emergence of hundreds of professional magicians. At that time, “scientific” tricks became especially fashionable, when performers who called themselves “doctors” and “professors” described stage performances in the language of “science”. For example, the Frenchman Jean-Eugene Robert-Houdin explained his famous trick with levitation (lifting a person into the air without visible support) by the properties of the newly discovered gas - ether. It had nothing to do with the truth, but the public of that time was quite convinced. Robert-Houdin was to become a legendary figure - later he was even called the "father of the modern trick." The most interesting thing is that this watchmaker and inventor became a professional magician only in his sixties! He improved the technique of performing many tricks and props, which later became widespread. It is thanks to Robert-Houdin, who developed his gift to the highest level, the illusionist profession owes much of its popularity.
Back to top present century both in Europe and in the United States of America, many troupes of talented magicians appeared who moved from stage to stage, from theater to theater. Their fame so increased that in 1873 a certain John Nevil Muscle, himself an illusionist and entrepreneur, opened the first permanent Magic Circus in London, which lasted for forty years.
Over time, stunt performers began to pay more and more attention to the external design of the performance, props, as well as their stage image - as they would say now, image. One of the most famous at that time was William Ellsworth Robinson, a white-skinned American hiding under the mask (makeup) of the Chinese magician Chun Ling Su. He even invented a kind of pseudo-Chinese language, which he used on stage. Robinson became so accustomed to his stage persona that he always pretended to be Chinese in public. He died on stage during the performance of a stunning number - "catching a bullet" on the fly (the magician managed to catch a bullet fired from a gun with his teeth). On that tragic evening, the gun unexpectedly fired a real bullet ... Perhaps the greatest illusionist in the world was Harry Houdini, born in 1874 in Budapest (then his name was simply Erich Weisse). Throughout his career as an "escapist" (from the English escape - to run away, avoid), in other words, a person who can hide from any place and free himself from any fetters, Houdini has repeatedly challenged the police and always came out the winner.
Although the circumstances were sometimes very unusual: for example, once he was lowered to the bottom of the New York port locked in a massive safe! .. Houdini died after being injured during one of his performances. It happened on October 31, 1926 - just in time for the traditional American Halloween holiday. A few days earlier, Houdini, having declared that he could withstand any blow to the abdominal area, suggested that one of his students give him several strong blows with his fist in the stomach. In front of one of them, the magician failed to tighten his abs properly, and the blow caused a rupture of the appendix, which caused the death of Houdini a few days later. One of the most interesting performers tricks in the 20th century was Cardini, who honed the technique of card manipulation, sitting as a soldier in the trenches of the First World War. Fearing the cold, which could cause irreparable damage to his gift, he never took off his gloves. Later, white gloves and a monocle became hallmark stage image of Cardini, who, with the dexterity of a sorcerer, snatched entire card fans literally out of thin air. Among his other numbers was this one: pretending to be drunk, he handed over a bunch of the most incredible items to the wardrobe ... The decline in the popularity of variety art, which occurred in the 1950s, led to a landslide closure of variety shows and other institutions of this kind, which narrowed the opportunities for the performance of many professional magicians.
Nevertheless, the best of them continue today to successfully demonstrate their skills, traveling from country to country, and with the help of the all-powerful television, gain a truly worldwide audience.
Translation from The Little Giant Encyclopedia of Card and Magic Tricks
As they used to say famous detective Sherlock Holmes - the hero of the works English writer Arthur Conan Doyle: "We see, but we do not observe."
To make the viewer see only what is happening before his eyes, leaving hidden the secret mechanism of the trick, is the cherished goal of any magician.
Tricks have been known since ancient times. One of the earliest evidence dates from around 1700 BC. An ancient Egyptian papyrus depicted a certain Dedi from Dedsnefu performing a trick in front of the pharaoh.
The ancient Greeks and Romans were delighted with various tricks, especially those that used all sorts of hidden mechanisms. With the help of such mechanisms, the priests performed real miracles: the massive doors of the temples opened by themselves, wine poured from the mouths and hands of marble statues. The trick called “Glasses and balls” was described by the Roman Seneca as early as the 1st century AD, but to this day professional illusionists willingly include it in their repertoire. In medieval Europe, the craft of a magician was considered witchcraft, and therefore an occupation punishable by death. Nevertheless, some magicians skillfully subordinated their power and influence to God-fearing people.
In 1584, an Englishman named Reginald Scott, in The Disco-verie of Witchcraft, probably first tried to show how magic tricks are performed - thanks to sleight of hand, and not with the help of the devil. His book explained the secrets of many tricks, in particular with coins, cards and ropes. Curiously, the author wrote the book with the intention of "exposing" the secrets of magicians, and instead it became the first textbook for beginner magicians!
And although "tricking" was not considered a worthy occupation, crowds of enthusiastic spectators gathered to gawk at sword swallowers or "thinking" animals. In 18th century England, conjurers and magicians gained some recognition and position in society. Isaac Fawkes was considered the most famous illusionist of that time. He gained fame by performing his tricks "close-up", almost in front of the audience - in fair booths and at parties with wealthy nobles. The end of the 18th - beginning of the 19th century is the time of the emergence of hundreds of professional magicians. At that time, “scientific” tricks became especially fashionable, when performers who called themselves “doctors” and “professors” described stage performances in the language of “science”. For example, the Frenchman Jean-Eugene Robert-Houdin explained his famous trick with levitation (lifting a person into the air without visible support) by the properties of a newly discovered gas - ether. It had nothing to do with the truth, but the public of that time was quite convinced. Robert-Houdin was to become a legendary figure - later he was even called the "father of the modern trick." The most interesting thing is that this watchmaker and inventor became a professional magician only in his sixties! He improved the technique of performing many tricks and props, which later became widespread. It is thanks to Robert-Houdin, who developed his gift to the highest level, that the illusionist profession owes much of its popularity.
By the beginning of this century, both in Europe and in the United States of America, many troupes of talented magicians appeared, who moved from stage to stage, from theater to theater. Their fame so increased that in 1873 a certain John Nevil Muscle, himself an illusionist and entrepreneur, opened the first permanent Magic Circus in London, which lasted for forty years.
Over time, stunt performers began to pay more and more attention to the external design of the performance, props, as well as their stage image - as they would say now, image. One of the most famous at that time was William Ellsworth Robinson, a white-skinned American hiding under the mask (makeup) of the Chinese magician Chun Ling Su. He even invented a kind of pseudo-Chinese language, which he used on stage. Robinson became so accustomed to his stage persona that he always pretended to be Chinese in public. He died on stage during the performance of a stunning number - "catching a bullet" on the fly (the magician managed to catch a bullet fired from a gun with his teeth). On that tragic evening, the gun unexpectedly fired a real bullet... Perhaps the greatest illusionist in the world was Harry Houdini, born in 1874 in Budapest (then simply called Erich Weisse). Throughout his career as an "escapist" (from the English ese - to run away, avoid), in other words, a person who can hide from any place and free himself from any fetters, Houdini has repeatedly challenged the police and always emerged victorious.
Although the circumstances were sometimes very unusual: for example, once he was lowered to the bottom of the New York port locked in a massive safe! .. Houdini died after being injured during one of his performances. It happened on October 31, 1926 - just in time for the traditional American Halloween holiday. A few days earlier, Houdini, having declared that he could withstand any blow to the abdominal area, suggested that one of his students give him several strong blows with his fist in the stomach. In front of one of them, the magician failed to tighten his abs properly, and the blow caused a rupture of the appendix, which caused the death of Houdini a few days later. One of the most interesting stunt performers of the 20th century was Cardini, who honed his card manipulation technique while sitting as a soldier in the trenches of World War I. Fearing the cold, which could cause irreparable damage to his gift, he never took off his gloves. Later, white gloves and a monocle became a hallmark of Cardini's stage image, who, with the dexterity of a sorcerer, snatched entire card fans literally out of thin air. Among his other numbers was this one: pretending to be drunk, he handed over a bunch of the most incredible items to the wardrobe ... The decline in the popularity of variety art, which occurred in the 1950s, led to a landslide closure of variety shows and other establishments of this kind, which narrowed the opportunities for performing many professional magicians.
Nevertheless, the best of them continue today to successfully demonstrate their skills, traveling from country to country, and with the help of the all-powerful television, gain a truly worldwide audience.
Translation from the book "The Little Giant Encyclopedia of Card and Magic Tricks"
History of occurrence. The word illusio is translated from Latin as delusion or deceit. But no one knows where the word focus came from. There are several versions. The most popular of them - it all started with latin phrase hockey est corpus meum. This phrase is translated as this is my body. It was pronounced by the priests at the evening meal and symbolized the religious rite of turning bread into the body of God. Later, the phrase turned into hokus-pokus and began to be used to refer to all types of transformations.
Mysterious Nine. The coins are placed on the table in the form of a nine. Someone present thinks of a number more coins in the "leg" of the nine, and begins to count the coins from the bottom up along the leg and, further, counterclockwise along the ring until it reaches the intended number. Then he counts again from one to the intended number, starting with the coin where he left off, but this time clockwise and only around the ring.
Guessing the amount. The demonstrator turns his back to the audience, and at this time one of them throws three dice on the table. Then the viewer is asked to add up the three numbers that have fallen out, take any dice and add the number on its lower face to the amount just received. Then again roll the same die and add the number that has fallen out to the sum again.
Focus secret. Before collecting the bones, the showman adds up the numbers facing up. Before collecting the bones, the showman adds up the numbers facing up. Adding seven to the resulting sum, he finds the final sum. Adding seven to the resulting sum, he finds the final sum.
Focus secret. 2*8 = = 21 (odd, so in the right hand 1*5 = 5 2 rubles, and in the left - 1 rub.) 1*8=8 8+10=18 (even, so in the right 2*5= 10 hand 1 rub., and in the left - 2 rub.)
Focus secret. Fives of cards must be collected starting from the first spectator, clockwise; the cards of the demonstrator will be the last and will be on top of the pack. Then all the cards are laid out in piles of five cards each; Any of the heaps can be opened to the audience. Now, if viewer number two sees the intended card, then this card will be the second one, counting from the top of the pile. If the fourth spectator sees his card, it will be the fourth in the pile. In other words, the location of the intended card in the pile will correspond to the number of the spectator, counting from left to right around the table.
Psychological moments. Another category of number tricks is based on what are called psychological moments. These tricks do not always work, but for some unknown reason psychological nature the chances of success in their demonstration are much greater than might be expected.
We conducted a survey among students in grades 5-11. It included the following tasks: We conducted a survey among students in grades 5-11. It included the following tasks: 1. Name any number from 1 to Name any number from 1 to Name a two-digit number between 1 and 50 so that both of its digits are odd and distinct. The number 11 is not allowed. 4. Name a two-digit number from 50 to 100 so that its numbers are even and different.
