Have magicians or 'magic tricks' ever been used in war or espionage?

Question

Looking at some of the stuff acheivable by today's magicians - David Copperfield, Derren Brown, David Blaine etc - and thinking of some of the feats acheived by Houdini, is anyone aware of any such talents being put to use in warfare or espionage?

I know they're not really doing magic, but the amazing things some magicians can do, and the illusions they can create, would suggest to me they'd have some form of military use, even if simply to confuse the enemy (though standing in front of a hostile army and pulling a rabbit from a hat probably wouldn't quite be enough). But imagine, for example, a building that troops were approaching to attack suddenly seeming to disappear, or a document given to an agent turning out to be an entirely different document when he's got it back to base.

Anyone know of any real life incidences or applications of this?

Answer 1

Jasper Maskelyn, a professional magician, developed defensive techniques and camouflage for the allies during World War II using the principles of stage illusion. Some of the things he accomplished include moving the port of Alexandria and vanishing the Suez Canal. Many of these techniques were considered classified for years and many are also still in use today. If you want the full story, then get a copy of David Fisher's "The War Magician." The link at Amazon.com is listed below.

Answer 2

Magic is simply like doing a trick that does not make sense to the senses, a rabbit comes out of a hat how does this happen? There is something hidden we do not see, hidden from the senses, I also like to think of magic with science, pour a capful of gas in a styrofoam cup, suddenly the cup is gone, the rim may be left between your fingers...I wouldn't suggest the safety of doing this, but I did it without realizing the cup would disappear! Then there is magick, based on numerology, astrology, rituals, many things. Does it make things, or can it make things happen that are supernatural? That do not ordinarily occur in life? Yes, it can. But it is still based on occult sciences, things that are hidden from common knowledge. The Bible is full of magick. It was cleverly written and entrances people so much they; call it a sacred, holy book. This book that uses it condemns magick and those who practice it, it is reserved for the elite alone. That is what I think.

Answer 3

Yes, during World War II.



The British Army used a group of stage hand in North Africa to make things disappear. The hid Alexandra harbor from bombing, made the Suez Canal disappear, camouflaged tanks to look like trucks, and build an entire make believe Army that all fooled the Germans.

Answer 4

I don't know if I'd call it a 'magic trick' but there was a highly clandestine 'Remote Viewing' unit, operation or whatever you want to call it that went on for decades... so it must have been working, not to mention some claim it's still going on to this day, which it probably is if it's safe to assume it functioned since it's creation. If you don't know what Remove Viewing is, use a search engine. As far as confusion tactics... I'm sure they've been used before.

Answer 5

Sorry but that tactic has been being used for almost 8 years by Bush against the American people. Nothing but smoke and mirrors to hide the real reason we attack other countries. Now the Republicans are trying to slide another illusionist into office to follow Bush's act... McCain Act 3...

Answer 6

in a combat situation you have no time to set up mirrors and curtains and lights to create illusions. And its all about angles that create the illusions so the enemy's would have to be still in one spot. but if you really wanted to make a case then camo could be considered "magic"

Answer 7

yeah they made the WMD's disappear in iraq and made our president look like an @sshole.. damn that great sadamini