Parlor Tricks

Before the commercialization of electricity in the late 1800s, “parlor tricks” were a popular form of entertainment. They were tricks you did, well, in a parlor.

Private social gatherings might feature simple sleight of hand with everyday props like cards, cups or hats. But the more elaborate the trick, the more popular. Some foreshadowed technologies developed after the widespread availability of electricity by the 1950s. 

(Also: I am pleased to announce that the word foreshadow there was itself foreshadowing something.)

That said, some of the oldest tricks are worth another look.

You might recognize some:

- magic lanterns
- zoetropes
- peephole illusions
- flipbooks
- Pepper’s ghosts (a reliable standby for centuries now)

But my favorite timeless parlor trick is … shadows.

The most complex variant is shadow puppetry, a national heritage treasure for some. But it can also just be a silhouette on a wall, moving or even just painted on. The fact that it’s missing all detail other than its outside edge makes it powerful.

And in exhibitions about people never visually recorded in history, we can only guess how they looked. Shadows are a way to evoke them without disrespectfully adding details that aren’t true.

Here’s the thing:

Parlor tricks are literally the oldest tricks in the book. 

But sometimes the oldest tricks are worth another look.

Warmly,
Jonathan

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MtM Word of the Day:
Permanent exhibition. A long-term museum experience designed to remain on view for at least 7-10 years (they’re not literally permanent). Often these stay up longer, 20 years or more, not always intentionally. Also called "core" or "long-term". Contrast this type with temporary, rotating, or traveling types.

NEW! The MtM Glossary of Museum Exhibitions (BETA)