Houdini's Torture Cell

Houdini's Torture Cell is Brian Young's award-winning Sequential Discovery take-apart design. The puzzle's theme celebrates Harry Houdini's first public performance of The Torture Cell at the Circus Busch in Berlin on 12th September 1912. The original wooden version of Houdini's Torture Cell was made for the 2011 International Puzzle Party, held in Berlin. That wooden version has been sold out for many years and thus become quite collectible, usually only available at specialist auctions for quite high prices. This version is an accurate factory-produced copy of that same puzzle.

The object is to release the steel ball from the cell. Accomplishing this goal requires the discovery and use of tools. While not overly complicated, the solution is very clever and fun. No force, tapping, or banging is needed.

Brian has supervised the manufacture from standard brass and acrylic stock. This puzzle is not intended to be a high-end limited-availability puzzle. There may be machining marks in the brass, and occasionally there might be a small hairline crack in the acrylic. Each puzzle has been inspected and is guaranteed to function well. The focus of this puzzle is more on the puzzling aspect rather than a finely crafted expensive puzzle. Enjoy the 'Ah Ha' moment!

Houdini's Torture Cell is shipped unsolved, with a photographic solution enclosed.

This puzzle is well complimented by the Brass Cannon puzzle. 

Handling Metal Puzzles

All metals tarnish over time. Residual oil and salt from handling speed up the process and leave undesirable fingerprints. Occasional use of our Metal Puzzle Polishing Kit with a coat of Renaissance Wax will keep your metal puzzles in tip-top shape!