Water Torture Cell

Water Torture Cell was an escape developed by Harry Houdini that followed his Giant Milk Can Escape. He began to perform it during his fall tour with the Circus Busch in Germany in 1912, calling it simple "The Upside Down".

A committee of volunteers was chosen prior to the show to examine the metal-line glass tank. They also examined the frame that was fitted over his ankles. Houdini would be hauled upward, turned upside down and lowered down into the water. Assistants would locked the top of the tank and push a canopy over it to cover the top. Houdini was visible through the plate glass on the front of the tank until the drapes around it were closed. Assistants stood by with axes; ready to break the glass in case of emergency. After several suspenseful minutes passed, Houdini would escape and emerge through the curtains usually to a show-stopping applause.