How to Levitate a Dollar Bill Magic Trick
The static levitation trick is a popular illusion in a magician's repertoire. It involves the floating and manipulation of a crumpled-up dollar bill in the air for as long as a magician wishes, allegedly because of powerful static forces. In reality it is a simple and easy to perform trick that actually has nothing to do with static electricity! The trick uses invisible wire attached to the magician to allow him to control the bill and move it about while giving the impression that there are no strings or wires. With a little preparation, you can amaze your friends with this fun illusion.
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Instructions
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Snap off an arm's length of thread and attach wax to both ends. You can find invisible thread at magic supply stores.
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Attach one end of the thread to yourself by sticking the wax snugly behind your ear. The other end will be attached to a random nearby object to create a stable support line for the dollar bill to hang off of.
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When you perform the trick on the fly in front of an audience, subtly stick the waxed end of the thread that is not already attached to your ear onto the anchor (anything with enough weight to support the thread and a bill; furniture or a book would work fine). This will create an invisible line between you and the anchor. Ideally, the anchor will be close to you and at about chest level so you don't have to worry about spectators hitting the thread.
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Borrow a dollar bill from a spectator. Crumple the bill quickly in your hands and tell the audience that through the power of static electricity you will make the bill levitate. Meanwhile, form the crumpled bill around the thread so it rests on its own, but leave your hand underneath as if you are supporting it in your palm. Remember, there is no wax holding the bill to the thread, so handle the bill with care so it doesn't fall off.
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Slowly tilt your head back a little and the bill will rise into the air. This is why the anchor should be about chest level. If it were on the ground, the angle of the thread would be such that the bill might slide to the floor. Once you've raised the bill, lower your hand and let the bill appear to float in midair. Wave your hands above and below the bill to trick the audience into thinking there are no strings holding it up. As you're doing this, you can move your head back and forth slightly to make the bill rise up and down seemingly on its own. Your dramatic hand movements should mask your minor head tilts.
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Tips & Warnings
Using wax instead of tape allows you to anchor the thread quickly without anyone noticing. If you have more time to prepare, consider using clear tape and ensuring your thread is firmly anchored before you start the trick.
Don't anchor the thread too far away from yourself or allow people to walk up and touch the bill. Both will give away the trick.
Avoid using strong lighting directly above or below your performance area. Doing so may reveal the thread to the audience.
References
Resources
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