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what is the name of the illusion were a magician takes a large steel marble looking ball and makes it float through a ring (supposedly to prove the are no strings attached)? I'm sure there are many different versions of this, can anybody give me the name please..........? [/i]

Sorry, can't think of the effect's origin or who invented it, but a variation was created by Harry Blackstone (and later performed by his son, Harry Blackstone Jr) which involved a floating lightbulb, and floated through a hoop in a similar manner.

There is of course the Zombie as well, but I know you're not meaning this. Would be interested to find out who originally created the effect (if it was Blackstone) as it's certainly a mesmerising one to watch, and using the Zombie in every show I do, it would be nice to hear a bit of history about the whole 'floating ball' area.

Anyone got any ideas?

The Zombie ball was created by Joe Kanter, about 70 years ago.

The story goes that Joe came up with the idea while playing about with a toilet float (the ball) and lever (the rod).

There are several variations now on the market but the Zombie is still the best, IMHO.

However, it suffers by usually being done for too long. About 30 seconds is right for it.

And most magicians miss the climax. That occurs when the ball appears from behind the foulard. Everything is downhill after that.

I've got a version of the Zombie called the Ultimate Floating Pearl. When the ball floats back down onto the base, you can make it vanish, creating a nice finale.

Agreed that it's better short and sweet, I usually perform the trick to music as well, after weaving a story about it being passed down from my grandmother

I saw David Copperfield perform this trick I'm talking about when he was much younger(while he still had his 70's haircut), perhaps it IS the Zombie illusion..

The Okito Floating Ball is one of the more renown versions of this classic as well as Harry Kellar's Floating Ball which he did in conjunction with his Spirit Cabinet... Then you have the Don Wayne version introduced in the 70s via the David Copperfield special noted above... this version has become the most commonly used in today's world due to its simplicity but, it is not self-contained... like the others, it requires back stage helpers and some solid choreography (same goes with the Blackstone Floating Light)

Finn Jon has a couple of self-contained (one-man) control systems but you best be an expert in working with threads.

The Zombie method does NOT go through a hoop... at least not in any of the acts I've seen using it over the years. BUT, some of us are known for employing more than one method, combining the Zombie techniques with one or more thread systems so as to create the illusion of greater impossibility... I can name at least a have dozen acts (other than myself) that have done this over the years.

There is likewise a version available as an installation that retails for about $10,000.00 to as much as $25,000.00 that is computerized and places the ball anywhere you want it to go within your performance area... it can literally cover every square inch of the stage with a 12 foot height range on the base system. I've heard of only one such unit in actual use presently but am not confident as to whose show that was in. (I so miss my mind... )

Following onto Craig's Finn Jonn comment, Dirk Losander has a beautiful routine using bubbles and thread that has a phase where the bubble goes through a loop. It's certainly tricky (good balancing skills required) but the best thing is you can just pick up the hoop and blow a bubble right there and then which precludes any idea of 'funny' props.

Very informative Craig, thanks very much

The Floating Light Bulb was created by Butling Hull; Tannens published a book by him on it called, 'Miracle Floating Light Effects ( Revised & enlarged edition) Blackstone featured it and Harry developed the routine into a brilliant presentation.Because it is associated with The Blackstones, it is better left to them to present it or to decide who is experienced enough to present it. Gay Blackstone did give young Darren Romero the go ahead ( and coaching) with the Blackstone routine.

The Okito Floating Ball, as it became known, was created by David Abbott( 1836 to 1934) & presented to Okito & Thurston( who also used a version of it for years)

Herman Hanson, who worked for Thurston published 'Thurston's Floating Ball Routine ' which was used in conjunction with the Spirit Cabinet.

David Abbot's Book Of Mysteries was published in Feb. 1977 by Modern Litho Inc/ Nebraska. I stupidly didn't buy a copy. However ALL the Abbott material with actual photographs (miraculously found) were re published last year.' The House Of Mystery' published by The Miracle Factory. There were extracts & pics, especially of DA, floating the Ball, in Genii,

The Ball is not suitable for everyone. You need to be relaxed and calm as any nerves can communicate along the rig. I have been performing it for over 30 years using it as a finale to my last lecture ( in July) at the Guild of Magicians. Not explained as too much sweat & hard work had gone into it over the years. This helped eliminate a long set up; it takes me 5 minutes.The nearest magicians were some 5 feet from the Ball, and I worked on a flat floor.They couldn't spot the working. As one said, 'I know the principle but cannot see how you can float the Ball to this side of the room, over your head( Thanks to Okito) and across the other side of the room; in full lighting!' I told him how. 30 years work!
I have a full thick file on the trick with a lot of methods, Unfortunately my Don Wayne Ball, given to a young pro. went up in a fire about 2 months ago. At one time I had 14 models of the Ball but always return to the two that my wife made back in 1975. She also helped develop the routine and at one time, in the early years, performed it better than me.

The first time Marc Oberon came to me was for coaching with The Ball.
Earlier this year I devised a rig and routine in Close Up/Stand Up for a friend, teaching it to him via e mail.

The Steel Ball was marketed as 'The Floating Ball Bearing' ' The Floating Steel Ball', amongst other names.
I [i]think[u] it was in a Davenport catalogue a few years back. Can remember it being illustrated.


Over Christmas I'll list my collected sources on the Ball so that any serious student of Magic has a good groundwork to start from.

Allen Tipton

Awesome post Allen!

I had the privilege of being about to do the Thurston floating ball using Howard's actual spirit cabinet... we passed on the ball in that it was beat the hell... but the enactment of his Spirit Cabinet routine with the ball was quite fun and, given the popularity now days of "Spirit Orbs" within the psychic world, it may just be an idea whose time has returned.

Will Rock said that this routine along with the Million Dollar Mystery, were two of his favorite pieces from the Thurston inventory.

Wow, these posts have been great, thanks! (Special thanks to Craig Browning and Allen Tipton). I will have to mature in magic for a good couple of years before learning this illusion, Its a real beauty. I cant imagine how it works.....I KNOW there is a string attached, but how the object is maneuvered is freakin' weired. Even if there aren't any strings involved, don't correct me, I'll find out some magical day!