The Milk Can Escape

Houdini did an escape from an oversize milk can that was filled with water and padlocked shut. Just before going under, Houdini would ask the audience to take a deep breath and hold it as long as they could. A curtain was placed around the locked can, and the agony began. Audience members were gasping for air within 30 seconds. When a minute passed they were beside themselves that Houdini was not yet free, but this would go on for another minute, then another. Finally Houdini would come bursting through the curtain dripping wet and gasping for air to thunderous applause.

In the summer of 1979 I attempted to recreate, not just Houdini's escape, but some of the drama that went with it. First a 55 gallon oil drum was examined and filled with water. I was handcuffed and placed in the can. The lid was padlocked shut with several padlocks. Finally a curtain was placed around the can. 

 One minute passed. Two minutes. At the end of the third minute, the curtain was removed and the can was found still locked. The rescue team removed the locks, reached in the can, and removed a pair of swimming trunks. Just then I came running out of the crowd in a suit and tie.