Magic, illusion and tigers
The History Hour
Deep Dive
Why did Siegfried and Roy's magic show in Las Vegas end abruptly in 2003?
Their show ended when a tiger named Montecore attacked Roy Horn during a performance, leaving him partially paralyzed.
What was unique about the Ken Burns effect in filmmaking?
The Ken Burns effect is a technique that animates still photographs, giving the illusion of movement and making them appear alive.
How did Brazil revolutionize its election process in 1996?
Brazil introduced electronic voting machines, which increased security, speed, and legitimacy in vote counting, making it one of the first countries to fully adopt electronic voting.
Who was Jean Batten, and why was she known as the Queen of the Skies?
Jean Batten was a New Zealand aviator who set multiple flight records during the 1930s, including being the first woman to fly solo across the South Atlantic, earning her the nickname.
What role did John Flamsteed play in the creation of Greenwich Mean Time?
John Flamsteed, England's first Astronomer Royal, conducted early experiments that led to the standardization of time, with Greenwich eventually becoming the prime meridian in 1884.
What was the significance of Ching Ling Fu in the history of magic?
Ching Ling Fu was a Chinese magician who introduced new, spectacular tricks and demonstrated that magic could be a universal language without the need for speech, influencing Western magicians.
How did the introduction of the Ken Burns effect impact Apple computers?
Apple incorporated the Ken Burns effect into all Macintosh computers starting in 2003, allowing users to animate still images with panning and zooming techniques.
What challenges did Jean Batten face during her record-breaking flights?
Batten faced extreme weather conditions, including sandstorms, heat, and monsoonal rains, as well as mechanical issues like damaged wings that she had to repair mid-flight.
Why was Greenwich chosen as the prime meridian in 1884?
Greenwich was selected as the prime meridian because 72% of the world's shipping used charts based on Greenwich, making it the most practical choice for standardizing longitude.
What was the impact of the tiger attack on Siegfried and Roy's animal handlers?
The attack led to a loss of confidence among handlers, with some, like Chris Lawrence, leaving the profession due to safety concerns and emotional trauma.
- Tiger attack on Roy Horn during a Las Vegas show
- Violation of safety protocols
- Tiger's possible attempt to protect Roy
- Long-term effects on Roy Horn and Chris Lawrence
Shownotes Transcript