The figure most responsible for making escapology a recognized entertainment was Harry Houdini, who built his career on demonstrating the ability to escape from a huge variety of restraints and difficult situations. Young Harry always had an interest in magic and performing. Around the age of seventeen he began doing a magic show with his brother "Dash" called "The Brothers Houdini." Harry would spend hours working on magic tricks and practicing Sleight of hand.
The year 1899 was a watershed in Houdini's life. The great impresario Martin Beck advised the struggling performer to shed traditional magic and to concentrate upon escapes. Beck then booked Houdini on vaudeville's Orpheum Circuit. The dime museum days were over; the King of Handcuffs came to the fore. In 1900, Houdini left for Europe, emerging as a star and carefully promoting his persona through letterhead, photographs, and early film. He returned to America as THE Harry Houdini.
By all accounts, Harry Houdini was indeed able to hold his breath for up to three-and-a-half minutes. This was a longstanding record, but modern escape artists, freedivers, and others who hold their breaths for long periods of time have since developed techniques that have pushed the record to almost 12 minutes.