Maskelyne's Mysteries

John Nevil Maskelyne (British 1839-1917) was a British magician and inventor who designed and created many illusions that are still preformed today, including levitation. Inspired by the Davenport Brothers, he spoke publicly to debunk their faux spiritualism and, with the help of his friend, George Alfred Cooke, created his own Spirit Cabinet to break the Davenport Brothers’ illusion. Afterward, the two decided to become magicians themselves and remained a team until Cooke’s death in 1905. He is credited with the invention of the coin-operated public toilet.