Illusionist Harry Houdini was Much More Than an Escape Artist
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Harry Houdini, history’s most famous escape artist, used his incredible talent to aid Allied forces, the U.S. Secret Service, and Scotland Yard. He would often visit police stations around the world and insist on being locked up so he could impress authorities with his fantastic escape abilities. What they didn’t realize was he was simultaneously gathering valuable information about them. British spy William Melville was employed at Scotland Yard when the performer reportedly started working for the agency and referred to Houdini several times in his journal. Houdini also used his work as a cover—when he traveled on tour to perform his incredible stunts and escape acts he also monitored Russian anarchists.