Replies

David Copperfield didn't file a patent.

No, but at least one of his suppliers has, and had it approved.

John Gaughan described how the trick works in US Patent #5,354,238.[1][4] According to the patent, the performer is supported by a pair of arrays of fine wires that remain invisible to the viewing audience.[5] The wires are less than 1 mm thick, but can support 100 kg each. The wire arrays are mounted at the hips, near the human center of mass, to a harness worn under the clothing. This creates a balance point facilitating a wide range of movements while suspended. The wires are attached to a complex computer-controlled rig above the stage that maintains the tension in each, and keeps each array of wires perpendicular to the viewing audience. During the later phases of the performance, two hoops are used simultaneously, which aids the deception as the hoops do not come into contact with the wires. Instead, each ring is brought flush to the wires before being twisted under Copperfield. In the glass box demonstration, the top of the box is threaded between the two sets of wires in a vertical position, before being rotated ninety degrees and lowered into place. The wires remain in place while the performer is in the glass box, passing through crevices between the lid and the sides. Since the box limits movement and he is only able to rotate on one axis, he stays side-on to the front of the audience while in the box. When flying with a volunteer, he holds her in front of him, and she does not come into contact with the set-up.

Besides, anybody can file for a patent.

No, but

***And your point is? You seem to want to make Rossi look like a magician but he isn't acting anything like the con man you want him to be.

Why don't you go seagull on some ridiculous sports thread? There at least you can come up to speed on what's being discussed.

Your result for The *** GULLIBLE CHUMP *** Test...

Paranoid Cynic

It's a Miracle! You Scored

For Shame. Looks like you're off your meds you paranoid freak! Get back on the anti-psychotics STAT!

Actually, I shouldn't be quite so critical of you. You're never taken in by any con-man, spoof, or gimmic. Anytime you're confronted with a gimmic or bunk ass idea...you automatically assume it's a rip off. You're every salemans worst nightmare!

There's a good chance that you've had first-hand experience ripping people off or scamming. Ever heard the phrase "can't play a player"? Of course you can spot the game, you wrote it!

You think very carefully before making any decision. How perfectly clever. You usually make wise choices and have few regrets when it comes to buying or giving. If there were more people like you, there wouldn't be as many people ou there trying to fuck people over. You make the hustlers feel like the idots.

You believe that if it sounds too good to be true, then it definitely is. With an evil laugh and an extended middle finger... you stroll away from the things that just seem too good.

You're skeptical, cynical, untrusting, and not easily hyped. Chances are that you're pretty stingy with your cash too. You mull over even small decisions for hours or days. You probably get great bargains on whatever you buy.

You can be a real asshole. Loosen up from time to time, no need to always be so an anal-retentive. You can afford to be a little understanding to someone asking a favor of you. Take time to listen if you think a person is probably sincere. If it turns out to be a rip-off afterall, you're sure to spot it before you're completely taken in.

Congrats on not being a chump. Keep in mind though, that you may actually be cheating yourself out of some legitimate oppurtunities.

Take The *** GULLIBLE CHUMP *** Test at HelloQuizzy