Harry Houdini

How long could Harry Houdini hold his breath underwater? At least three minutes! In one of his tricks, called the Water Torture Cell, Harry hung upside down by his ankles in a giant tank full of water. His arms were locked by chains. He stayed underwater for three minutes as he worked his way out of the chains. Harry started performing as a child by imitating circus performers tumbling and swinging from ropes. He made an elephant disappear in front of an audience and was the first person to fly an airplane in Australia.

Janet Piehl lives in Evanston, Illinois. She grew up in Shorewood, WI, and has lived in Minnesota and France. Janet has written several Pull Ahead books about the natural world, including Chattering Chipmunks and Flying Mosquitoes. She is also the author of Formula One Race Cars and Indy Race Cars