2016 · The original escape
Houdini 100
One hundred years. The same corner.
On November 6, 2016, Pittsburgh magician and daredevil Lee Terbosic brought a moment of the city’s history back to life. At noon, at the corner of Wood Street and Liberty Avenue, he recreated Harry Houdini’s upside-down straitjacket escape at the same location, a century after Houdini’s November 6, 1916 performance.
Suspended 100 feet above Pittsburgh from a crane, Lee worked his way free as thousands watched from the streets below. He finished with a Terrible Towel twirl—a Pittsburgh celebration high above his hometown.
A city came together
Rick Sebak served as master of ceremonies. Steelers legends Franco Harris and Rocky Bleier joined special-effects artist Tom Savini to inspect and secure the straitjacket before Lee’s ascent. DJ Scottro provided the morning’s entertainment, and the event was free for the city to attend.
Lee Terbosic Day
The City of Pittsburgh proclaimed November 6, 2016, “Lee Terbosic Day,” recognizing the centennial tribute and the magician who brought it to life.
From a photograph to a performance
An archival image of Houdini hanging above Wood Street inspired the project. Lee spent years preparing to stand—or hang—in that same place and recreate the photograph that started it all. Houdini 100 connected Pittsburgh’s past and present through a shared moment of live magic.
The original production
The 2016 event was presented and produced by Luxe Creative and Lomma Cranes, with a team of local supporters helping make the escape possible.
The story continues
Ten years later, Lee returns with Houdini 100: Chapter Two, The Great Firetruck Ladder Escape, on Halloween 2026.
From the 2016 coverage
Pittsburgh Magazine · November 7, 2016
Wild About Harry · November 6, 2016
Relive the original escape
The day, frame by frame
View the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette’s 2016 performance gallery →
The photograph that started it all
This historic view of Houdini above Wood Street gave Lee a way to connect with his hero: return to that corner a century later and bring the scene back to life.
Houdini 100 became a tribute to Houdini, to Pittsburgh, and to the power of following a dream.
Houdini 100: Look Back
iJustine at Houdini 100
Images and video selections preserved from the original Houdini100.com website. The original site credited Caulin Grant, Ben Petchel and Christy Clementi for photography and video. iJustine video courtesy of her YouTube channel.