Jean Eugène Robert-Houdin Elephant", that every magician of the 20th century was "haunted" by Robert-Houdin, "…who cast an enormous shadow over their generation." American magician and escape artist Harry Houdini (born Ehrich Weiss) was so impressed by Robert-Houdin that, after reading his autobiography in 1890, Ehrich adopted the stage name of "Houdini" in honour of Robert-Houdin. He incorrectly believed that an "i" on the end of a name meant "like" in French; but Houdini, his own career and reputation established by that time, later lost his youthful respect for Robert-Houdin, believing that he took undue credit for other magicians' innovations, and wrote "The
Silvan (illusionist) in the “Hall of Fame” of the Society of American Magicians. Silvan has written several books, appeared in some films and has collaborated with a number of publications. He is an honorary member of CICAP, a skeptic scientific organization. Silvan (illusionist) Silvan (born May 18, 1937) is an Italian illusionist, writer and television personality. Born Aldo Savoldello in Venice, Silvan started his career at 20 years old and made his television debut in 1956, in the RAI show "Primo applauso" ("First applause"). He gained mainstream popularity in 1973 hosting the RAI Saturday night magic and illusionism show "Sim Sala Bim".