The famous vanishing birdcage magic trick is well known for its visually stunning effect. A magician holds a solid birdcage between his palms and shows it to the audience. People are allowed to touch the cage and prove that it is real. But then they are reminded to pay close attention to the cage and do not blink because it happens in a split second. The magician counts one, two and three! The cage is vanished in front of people’s naked eyes without a trace. Magician Clarence Slyter was known for making this amazing trick even better in terms of the handling.

The trick is done by pulling a string attached to the compressible birdcage very quickly up the sleeve so that the cage is hidden in the sleeve. Slyter did the trick with an arm pull, too. One of the biggest challenges of the trick is the length of the pulling string. If it is too long, you would not be able to pull the cage strong enough or fast enough. If it is too short, the cage is not free enough to move and feels stiff and unnatural. Slyter handled that with a reel which can be activated to shorten excessive string when needed.

A pull system is a brilliant device that is broadly used in various magic tricks. There are many different construction of such device. One of the most common forms is an elastic pull often used to vanish small and light objects. A small container like a thumb tip is usually attached to the elastic string. The container is concealed in the hand first. The object is then put inside it. The magician makes a magical gesture and secretly releases the container. The elastic quickly snap back inside the coat with the object held inside the container. The hand is slowly opened to reveal that the object has been vanished. The effect of this trick is very magical. The only problem of it is how to hide the elastic when you are holding the container. Also, the magician is not able to show his hands empty right before the effect.

A variation of the cord pull has been used for The Chimney Vanish. The handkerchief is hooked into a loop of catgut, as it is stuffed into the cylinder. The cylinder is held between the palms. The handkerchief is plainly visible through the glass. One moment it is there. The next, it is gone.

A spring reel, sometimes called a Flash Pull, has been utilized for this trick. The reel has a strong spring. The cord may be pulled out to the required distance. The performer presses a catch on the reel. This holds the cord in position until ready. A slight tug on the cord releases the catch. The tension of the spring then tends to pull in the cord. When you release the object it goes in a flash.

According the theme of a trick, any objects can be adapted to be vanished by a pull. Things like big round cages, lamps, sweeps, vases and candles have been vanished by magicians using pulls throughout the history. But of course, they are all specially gimmicked props which are collapsible. A props might look like a heavy solid bowling ball but in fact would easily become a thin bundle upon a simple tuck. Things like this make miracles possible.

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