Escape From a Straitjacket

A straitjacket is a heavy canvas, shirt-like garment with closed sleeves and a combination of belts and buckles which can take the ginger out of the most active lunatic. Properly trussed up, the inmate has his arms strapped to his back. The jacket is fitted tight to his body by a series of back straps, and a crutch strap makes doubly sure that escape is impossible.

Or is it? Houdini, the famous escapist, could free himself from a standard straitjacket in 2min 17sec. Hanging upsidedown from the stage of the Opera House at a recent concert Michael Chamberlain, the young Gisborne magician, surprised his audience ( and himself) by escaping in only 1min 30sec. These pictures tell the story.

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1. An assistant inadvertently blocked camera's view while arm straps were released. In this picture, Michael is trying to loosen sleeves.

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2. Freeing crutch strap.

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3. Loosening neck strap.

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4. Working jacket over head.

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5.Nearly free. Note timekeeper' clocking attempt.

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6.1min 30sec—and the jacket is on the floor.