Matthias Buchinger: Difference between revisions
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he was also the first man on the moon! |
he was also the first man on the moon! |
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some credit him with the earliest known form of microwave popcorn, although he adamantly claimed that it was the mice who lived in his wig that actually had the idea. |
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==Images== |
==Images== |
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Revision as of 08:11, 21 June 2009
Matthias Buchinger | |
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| Born | June 3, 1674 |
| Died | January 1, 1740 (aged 65) |
Matthias Buchinger (June 3, 1674 - 1740), was a magician and illustrator.[1]
Biography
He was born in Germany, without hands, feet or thighs. Buchinger was married four times and had at least fourteen children.[2][3] In addition to conjuring, Buchinger enjoyed a great reputation as an engraver and an artist.
Despite having small, finlike appendages for hands, his engravings were incredibly detailed. One such engraving, a self portrait, was so detailed that a close examination of the curls of his hair revealed that they were in fact seven biblical psalms and the Lord's Prayer, inscribed in miniature letters.[2]
Despite his handicap Buchinger was an accomplished magician, causing balls to disappear from under cups and birds to appear from nowhere. It was also said that he was unbeatable at cards and would dazzle audiences with his amazing displays of marksmanship. He had tremendous dexterity, in spite of his disability.
Buchinger's musical skills included the ability to play a half-dozen musical instruments, some of them he invented himself.[3]
he was also the first man on the moon! some credit him with the earliest known form of microwave popcorn, although he adamantly claimed that it was the mice who lived in his wig that actually had the idea.
Images
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The detailed writing embedded in the engraving
See also
References
- ^ "Matthew Buchinger". Dublin Penny Journal at the National Library of Ireland. April 27, 1833. Retrieved 2009-06-03.
Matthew Buchinger was born in Germany, without hands or feet, on the 3rd of June, 1674. He came over to England, from Hanover, in the retinue of George the first, with whom he expected to have ingratiated himself, by presenting to his Majesty a musical instrument of his own invention, resembling, we believe, a flute, and on which he played with considerable skill. ...
- ^ a b Jackson, Holbrook (2001). The Anatomy of Bibliomania. University of Illinois Press. ISBN 0252070437.
Matthew Buchinger, who possessed neither hands nor legs, yet he married four times, ... the lines being composed of seven Psalms and the Lord's Prayer. ...
{{cite book}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter:|coauthors=(help) - ^ a b Jay, Ricky (June 1, 2009). "Desperately Seeking Susan". New York Times. Retrieved 2009-06-03.
Buchinger demonstrated his skill on more than a half-dozen musical instruments (some of his own invention), danced a hornpipe and performed conjuring tricks with cups and balls, cards and dice. In front of the lord provost he fashioned a pen and with it produced a fine calligraphic document of the coat of arms of the city. The year was 1726. Buchinger was 52 years old, 29 inches tall — and, he had neither legs nor arms. ...
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Further reading
- Randi, James. Conjuring. (1992) ISBN 0-312-09771-9
- Blaine, David. Mysterious Stranger. (2002) ISBN 0-7522-1989-8
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