Scientific Amusement

130 entries in Scientific Amusement
Creators Title Comments & References Year Source Page AA Categories
Henri Decremps Premiere apparence de Mouvement Perpétuel. on a perpetual motion machine, compass needle moves constantly
 		1785
Supplément A La Magie Blanche Dévoillée
143
Henri Decremps Autre apparence de Mouvement Perpétuel. other perpetual motion machine, made from wood
 		1785
Supplément A La Magie Blanche Dévoillée
147
Henri Decremps Machine hydraulique exprimant la circulation du fang dans les veines & les arteres. hydraulic machine to simulate the circulation of the blood in the arteries, variations
 		1785
Supplément A La Magie Blanche Dévoillée
173
Henri Decremps Expériences nouvelles, & divers Tours d'équilibre. balancing different objects apparently impossible equilibrium
 		1785
Supplément A La Magie Blanche Dévoillée
268
Fontaine de circulation, paradoxe et disgression Liquide experience
 		1786
Testament de Jérôme Sharp
43
H. Röhl Perpetuum-mobile apparent perpetuum mobile construction
 		July 1895
Die Zauberwelt (Vol. 1 No. 7)
104
Die gehorsamen Streichhölzer matches in water with heads toward center, the move out in star formation
 		Nov. 1896
Die Zauberwelt (Vol. 2 No. 11)
173
Der optische Farbkreisel optical illusion with half colored spinner
 		Dec. 1896
Die Zauberwelt (Vol. 2 No. 12)
190
Antonio Molini Das furchtsame Streichhölzchen rubber-banded match shoots out when ignited
 		June 1897
Die Zauberwelt (Vol. 3 No. 6)
93
Antonio Molini Der kleine Springinsfeld paper figure on cork on card on top of full glass, suddenly jumps up
 		July 1898
Die Zauberwelt (Vol. 4 No. 7)
109
Das geheimnisvolle Papierfähnchen No. 12, piece of paper with grain and apple moves by itself, experiment
 		1900
Der Amateurzauberer
162
Der elektrisierte Spazierstock moving a cane with a paper that has been rubbed and loaded with electricity
Related to Nov. 1900
Die Zauberwelt (Vol. 6 No. 11)
174
Zum Elektrisierten Spazierstock clarifying illustration for the effect
Related to Feb. 1901
Die Zauberwelt (Vol. 7 No. 2)
30
Der zerschlagene Stock wooden stick held by two paper rings, stick broken with a hit but paper remains intact
 		Apr. 1901
Die Zauberwelt (Vol. 7 No. 4)
61
Die frei an der Wand hängende Münze coin sticks to wall, no preparation
 		Aug. 1901
Die Zauberwelt (Vol. 7 No. 8)
127
Ein Ei je nach Wunsch auf der Oberfläche des Wassers schwimmen oder in dasselbe niedersinken zu lassen egg floats on water surface or sinks down as spectators wish
 		Sep. 1901
Die Zauberwelt (Vol. 7 No. 9)
137
Das Balancieren eines Eies balancing an egg on its tip, two methods
 		Sep. 1901
Die Zauberwelt (Vol. 7 No. 9)
138
Das rotierende Ei rotating an egg on a plate
 		Sep. 1901
Die Zauberwelt (Vol. 7 No. 9)
139
Antonio Molini Ein Zündholz mit einem Tropfen Wasser anzuzünden "lighting a match with a drop of water"
 		Oct. 1901
Die Zauberwelt (Vol. 7 No. 10)
159
Die rastlose Weintraube grape floating up and down in champagne
 		Oct. 1901
Die Zauberwelt (Vol. 7 No. 10)
159
A Bottle Cannon and Seidlitz Powder non-magical science experiment
 		1902
The Modern Conjurer
290
Shark in the Fish-pond non-magical science experiment
 		1902
The Modern Conjurer
291
A Dodge with a Sixpence non-magical science experiment
 		1902
The Modern Conjurer
293
Experiment with Corks non-magical science experiment
 		1902
The Modern Conjurer
293
Pins into a Small Glass already Full of Water non-magical science experiment
 		1902
The Modern Conjurer
294
Magnetised Paper non-magical science experiment
 		1902
The Modern Conjurer
294
A Simple Coin Trick coin in broken match into bottle, non-magical science experiment
 		1902
The Modern Conjurer
295
To Pick a Floating Indiarubber Ball up from a Basin of Water with the Mouth non-magical science experiment
 		1902
The Modern Conjurer
295
The Home-Made Cinematograph non-magical science experiment
 		1902
The Modern Conjurer
296
An Egg and Bottle Trick non-magical science experiment
Also published here 1902
The Modern Conjurer
297
Perpetual Motion non-magical science experiment
 		1902
The Modern Conjurer
299
Atmospheric Pressure liquid remains in glass swung around, non-magical science experiment
 		1902
The Modern Conjurer
301
A New Umbrella Stand non-magical science experiment
 		1902
The Modern Conjurer
303
Electricity on the Spot non-magical science experiment
 		1902
The Modern Conjurer
304
Cardboard Figures Blow Out and Light a Candle non-magical science experiment
 		1902
The Modern Conjurer
306
Superior to the Spirit Level non-magical science experiment
 		1902
The Modern Conjurer
307
Objects Suspended Without any Support vacuum, non-magical science experiment
 		1902
The Modern Conjurer
307
The Burnt Thread non-magical science experiment
 		1902
The Modern Conjurer
310
To Bore a Hole Through a Coin with a Needle non-magical science experiment
 		1902
The Modern Conjurer
311
How Water Deceives non-magical science experiment
 		1902
The Modern Conjurer
312
A Novel Way to Slice a Pear non-magical science experiment
 		1902
The Modern Conjurer
312
Magnetised Marionettes non-magical science experiment
 		1902
The Modern Conjurer
314
To Empty a Glassful of Water with a Bottle also Full of Water non-magical science experiment
 		1902
The Modern Conjurer
315
To Bore a Hole through a Pin with a Needle non-magical science experiment
 		1902
The Modern Conjurer
315
Egg Spinning non-magical science experiment
Also published here 1902
The Modern Conjurer
316
To Suspend a Glass Full of Water non-magical science experiment
 		1902
The Modern Conjurer
317
The Travelling Egg non-magical science experiment
 		1902
The Modern Conjurer
318
Alphonse Wunnenburger Eine elektrische Spielerei paper sticks to hand
 		Mar. 1902
Die Zauberwelt (Vol. 8 No. 3)
45
Carl Willmann Der Radiograph "Ein amerikanisches Wunder", Gee-haw whammy diddle (Hui-Maschine), toy
 		Sep. 1903
Die Zauberwelt (Vol. 9 No. 9)
142
Joey Hoppensack poses a problem and its answer... string melts into ice cube, physics
 		1941
The Jinx (Issue 138)
784
Martin Gardner Japanese Paper Bird bird fold that flaps its wings, application with flash paper and coin appearing from bird or traveling in bird
Inspired by
  • "Houdini's Paper Magic" (p. 117)
Related to
  • "Scientific Recreations" (Tissandier, 1881, French work)
 1941
After the Dessert
11
Eddie Joseph A Dose for the Smart Guy glass of water under newspaper, paper whipped away, as sucker trick, coins balanced on glass
 		1942
Coin and Money Magic
40
Eddie Joseph The Kick coin stack on table, coin rolls towards it and knocks out selected coin
Related to 1942
Coin and Money Magic
48
Eddie Joseph Perfect Timing two coins on table edge, pushed off table towards floor, one straight down one sharply forward, they hit floor together
 		1942
Coin and Money Magic
85
Eddie Joseph Good Shootin' coin stack on table, coin rolls towards it and knocks out selected coins
Related to 1942
Coin and Money Magic
105
M. T. Coogan A Drop in the Bottle with a bottle, a cigarette and a paper loop
Also published here May 1945
The Phoenix 51-100 (Issue 84)
343
Martin Gardner Beery salt spilled in beer rises to top, see also p. 758
 		Oct. 1949
The Phoenix 151-200 (Issue 188)
754
Ormond McGill The Pendulum: In Performance
  • constructing the pendulum
  • operating the pendulum
  • powers of the pendulum
  • individuality in working with the pendulum
  • experimental evidence with the pendulum
  • and as to miracle
 		1951
Psychic Magic — Vol. 6
24
Zum Dessert special way to cut a lemon, peel is linked
 		1953
Hokus Pokus (Vol. 14 No. 3)
118
C. James McLemore Stop-Go two balls are tied to two strings and hanging down, they swing back and forth on command
Variations 1954/27
Tarbell Course in Magic — Volume 6
32
Carl "J. N. Teroga" Schnetzer Der magische Propeller Hui-Maschine, propeller on stick turns and changes direction
 		1958
Hokus Pokus (Vol. 19 No. 1)
609
Max Malini The Inertia Trick glasses covered with a tray, on the tray are tubes with eggs, tray is knocked away and eggs fall into glass
Also published here 1962
Malini and His Magic
40
Whisky-Water Transposition glass with whisky is placed inverted on glass with water, liquids transpose, physics, see p. 94 for more information
 		1962
Malini and His Magic
48
Hans Herrmann Kleinzauberei zum Hausgebrauch
  • Wolken über leeren Tassen (clouds appear in cups)
  • Papier auf eine brennende Kerze zu halten, ohne es zu verbrennen (paper does not burn when held over flame)
Related to 1962
Hokus Pokus (Vol. 23 No. 6)
243
Hans Herrmann Kleinzauberei zum Hausgebrauch
  • Ein Ei auf die Spitze stellen (make an egg stand upright)
  • Ein Ring aus einem Teller mit Wasser nehmen, ohne sich die finger nass zu machen (removing ring from water, without the fingers getting wet)
  • Einen Apfel in vier Teile schneiden, ohne die Schachtel zu beschädigen (cutting apple, sewing method)
  • Ein Geldstück unter einem Hut hervorbringen, ohne den Hut zu berühren (removing a coin from under a hat, without touching the hat)
Related to 1963
Hokus Pokus (Vol. 24 No. 1)
4
Eddie Joseph Indian Rice Stabbing Illusion first one cup of rice fills six cups, then glass jar of rice clings to stick or knife
Related to 1969
The Art of Eddie Joseph
225
Astus Les Boules Capricieuses white balls rise and sink in liquid, chemical experiment
 		1969
Hokus Pokus (Vol. 30 No. 4)
68
Stewart James, Gene Gray A Match for Gravity watch and match tied to thread, over stick, see p. 337 for reference
 		Apr. 1970
The Pallbearers Review Vol. 5-8 (Vol. 5 No. 6)
330
Patrick Page The Revolving Snake
  • How to Make a Fascinating Novelty
Paper snake on wire is put on lamp and starts to spin as long as the lamp is alight
 		1974
Tricks with Paper
9
Patrick Page An Impromptu Propellor little tray formed from cigarette paper, spins on finger,
 		1974
Tricks with Paper
12
Patrick Page The Balancing Note on the nose and on the finger
 		1974
Tricks with Paper
14
Patrick Page Ping-Pong on the Nose balancing a paper tube on the nose and throwing balls into it
 		1974
Tricks with Paper
15
Picture Gallery paper can be folded so it shows different pictures
 		1974
Tricks with Paper
41
Moving Pictures how to make a flick book
 		1974
Tricks with Paper
62
How to Make a Parachute
1974
Tricks with Handkerchiefs
56
There She Blows coin spins on glass, stunt
 		1974
Tricks with Coins
23
Jochen Zmeck Der J. Z. Kartenbalken stick of wood with card suits and values, finger are moved together and where they meet the suit and then value are found to match a previous selection
Inspired by
  • version in Magie and "Das große Buch der Magie"
 1974
Das Zmeckt!
20
Karl Fulves Zero Gee Lunaball (scientific toy), light metal sphere with magnetic outer surface, close-up levitation
Related to Jan. 1975
The Pallbearers Review Vol. 9-10 (Vol. 10 No. 3)
841
Joseph Dunninger Trick Sugar sugar cube thrown in bowl of water, it first sinks but then rises back to surface, chemical
 		Mar. 1975
The Pallbearers Review Vol. 9-10 (Vol. 10 No. 5)
869
Newman the Hypnotist Telekinesis construction spins under glass cylinder, physics
Also published here
  • "Telekinesis" (Sphinx, April 1923, Vol. 22 No. 2)
 1975
Mind & Matter
53
Karl Fulves, Martin Gardner Psychic Motors "Curiosities"
piece of paper spins on the tip of a needle
  • Martin Gardner's Method (Scientific American, April 1975)
  • Streamlined Psychic
  • Stop/Reverse
 		1978
The Chronicles (Issue 11)
1168
Karl Fulves Solid Liquid "Curiosities"
seesaw set-up with two filled glasses, ruler and pencil, it swings when water is pushed and thus water is apparently solid, physics
Inspired by
  • Martin Gardner's "Science Puzzlers"
 1978
The Chronicles (Issue 12)
1182
Karl Fulves Einstein Centennial thoughts on various ideas in physics
  • Bang Bang
  • 90% Paradox (Sturgeon's Law)
  • Time Out
 		1979
Interlocutor (Issue 29)
111
Karl Fulves Time Turned Backwards physics musings
 		1979
Interlocutor (Issue 38)
152
Crash - Diving Submarine raisins in club soda rise up and down, physics
 		1979
Elastrix
38
The Twirling Cigarette Paper spins on tip of finger, physics
 		1979
Elastrix
38
The Deceptive Hairpin one or two ends of wire pin put on spectator's arm, he doesn't know if one or two pins without looking, physics
 		1979
Elastrix
39
The Ghost and the Arrow arrow reverses when viewed through glass of water, physics
 		1979
Elastrix
40
Fire Power No. 24, compass needle moves, iron in staple in matchbook influences needle
 		1979
Self-Working Mental Magic
36
M. T. Coogan Der Sturz in die Flasche with a bottle, a cigarette and a paper loop
Also published here June 1981
Intermagic (Vol. 8 No. 2)
76
Larry White Ein Stroh-Voller Trick liquid in straw apparently flows upwards
Also published here
  • Genii, Feb. 1978
 Jan. 1983
Intermagic (Vol. 9 No. 4)
137
Barrie Richardson Blowout filled glass jar of rice clings to knife
Also published here Nov. 1986
Magick (Issue 380)
1898
Gläser seventeen impromptu magic items and gags with a glass
 		Dec. 1986
Intermagic (Vol. 12 No. 3 & 4)
122
Reflexes No. 26, bill dropped through fingers, cannot be caught
 		1989
Self-Working Coin Magic
38
Metal bending No. 27, coin apparently soft and bent back and forth
 		1989
Self-Working Coin Magic
39
Martin Gardner Rattle Rock Spoon making rattle rock from bowl of plastic spoon, reverses direction when spun on table
 		1991
Cheat Sheet (Issue 7)
69
Karl Fulves Theory Only bet with polarizing light filters
Also published here
  • "The Dancing Wu Li Masters" (G. Zukav, 1979)
 1991
Cheat Sheet (Issue 7)
71
Martin Gardner Blow Up marshmallow grows to twice the size in vacuum and then instantly collapses again
 		1993
Rigmarole (Issue 1)
10
Joseph K. Schmidt Star Burst "four psychic tricks" No. 3
broken toothpicks rearrange themselves into star configuration under paper cover, water makes them unbend, quirting lighter
 		1993
Rigmarole (Issue 3)
30
Martin Gardner Rising Marble marble rises to the top in rice-filled glass
Also published here
  • "Physics Teacher" (Sept. 1994)
 1994
Rigmarole (Issue 10)
115
David Zver Crystal Dust breaking of a Rubert's Pearl / Devil's Teardrop in open hands
 		1994
Syzygy (Vol. 1 No. 6)
25
The Psychic Pulse strange animation of two toothpicks in the hand
 		1994
Wonderful Routines of Magic — The Second Addendum
159
Karl Fulves Reverso No. 39, numbers, words and designs appear in mirror image through glass of water
 		1995
Easy Magic
56
Martin Gardner Der esoterische Glas-Trick air bubbles in upside down glass filled with water
 		1996
Intermagic (Vol. 20 No. 2)
83
Martin Gardner Pepper presentation for the stunt in which pepper in water rushes to the edge of the glass, soap
 		1997
The Fine Print (Issue 6)
154
Ted Bohmann Gesellschaftsscherze getting smoke out of bottle, two phases
 		1998
Intermagic (Vol. 22 No. 1)
27
Karl Fulves Cold Cash spectator should guess which coin is heavier with closed eyes, they are the same but colder coin seems heavier
 		1999
Discoverie (Issue 1)
5
Gary Rand Quicksand small ball sinks into paper cup filled with rice, then rises up again when shaken, thread
 		2000
Discoverie (Issue 3)
36
Karl Fulves X-Eyes distorted writing on paper or two index fingers becomes a prediction or revelation when put near the eyes and eyes are thrown out of focus
 		2000
Discoverie (Issue 4)
44
Mac King, Mark Levy Too Gross, Too Hard, Too Lame, Too Strong What Mac King and Mark Levy left out of their new book "Tricks With Your Head"
  • Locked Room Mystery
  • The Whisker
  • Let's Play Submarine!
  • Gay Spray
  • Fire and Naked Chicks
 		Apr. 2002
Genii (Vol. 65 No. 4)
70
Egg Balanced on the Rim of a Bottle non-magical science experiment
Also published here 2002
The Encyclopedia of Egg Magic
97
Spinning an Egg on a Plate non-magical science experiment
Also published here 2002
The Encyclopedia of Egg Magic
98
Eggs, Spool, and Glasses - First Method eggs balanced on tubes on tray on top of glasses, tray whipped away
Also published here
  • Howard Thurston, 400 Tricks You Can Do, p. 104
 2002
The Encyclopedia of Egg Magic
99
John Weiss Eggs, Spool, and Glasses - Second Method eggs balanced on tubes on tray on top of glasses, tray whipped away
Also published here
  • "Eggs, Tray and Glasses" (The Linking Ring, Vol. 34 No. 11, Jan. 1955, p. 73)
 2002
The Encyclopedia of Egg Magic
99
Eggs, Spool, and Glasses - Third Method eggs balanced on tubes on tray on top of glasses, tray whipped away, two layers
Also published here
  • Jean Hugard, Hugard's Annual of Magic 1937, p. 75
 2002
The Encyclopedia of Egg Magic
101
Hubert Lambert Meet the Odd Ovum egg sucked into bottle
Also published here
  • The Gen, Vol. 15 No. 11, Mar. I960, p. 270
 2002
The Encyclopedia of Egg Magic
249
The Crush-proof Egg egg cannot be crushed between hands
Also published here
  • Martin Gardner in Hugard's Magic Monthly, Vol. X No. 3, Aug. 1952, p. 975
 2002
The Encyclopedia of Egg Magic
254
Martin Gardner Coin That Floats Japanese 1-yen coin floats on water, then sinks on command
  • KF note (Karl Fulves)
 		2004
Discoverie (Issue 9)
120
Karl Fulves Crushed filling plastic bottle with hot water, emptying it and capping it, it deforms, variation with special brand
 		2005
Latter Day Secrets (Issue 10)
398
Barrie Richardson Letting Go! presentation for James's effect, mug tied on a string is dropped, but the string loops around a pencil just before object fall on floor
Inspired by 2005
Act Two
175
Barrie Richardson The Astonishing Rice Jar Suspension filled glass jar of rice clings to knife
Also published here 2005
Act Two
196
Michael Powers Science Friction straw balanced on saltshaker, straw moves and is animated, static electricity
Related to 2006
Power Plays
229
Stewart James A Match for Gravity Bar bet, looping pendulum, heavy expensive object tied on a string is dropped, but the string loops around a pencil just before object fall on floor
Related toVariationsAlso published here
  • Linking Ring, Sep 1926
 2007
The Essential Stewart James
5
Dave's Proposition vacuum bar bet, sucking water into glass with burning match
 		2007
Session
105
Robert E. Neale See it Slant optical illusion with slant tower of Pisa on two cards
  • Handling on the Table
  • Handling in the Air
 		Feb. 2011
Genii (Vol. 74 No. 2)
23
Jim Steinmeyer A Hole in Your Head
  • Conjuring
hole in hand optical illusion with tube, then ribbon penetrates hand visually
Inspired by
  • "The Penetrating Ribbon" (Gordon Howatt, The Restless Spook, 1940s)
 Dec. 2014
Genii (Vol. 77 No. 12)
34
Emil Jarrow Match under Glass Bet paper match balances on a coin on edge under a glass, bet about removing the match, comb with static electricity
Also published here
  • The Sphinx, Vol. 50 No. 5, Sep. 1951
 Mar. 2016
Genii (Vol. 79 No. 3)
66
Allan Zola Kronzek Creepy Crawly crumpled straw wrapper moves
Also published here
  • "Grandpa Magic"
 Dec. 2018
Genii (Vol. 81 No. 12)
97
Max Malini Whisky-Water Transposition shot glasses with water and whiskey are opening-to-opening with a playing card in between, liquids transpose
 		2022
Max Malini
221
Max Malini The Eggs in Glasses glasses covered with a tray, on the tray are tubes with eggs, tray is knocked away and eggs fall into glass
Also published here 2022
Max Malini
406