Pass Your Body Through a Sheet of Paper

A sheet of paper is a lot like gold or your large intestines; it can appear larger than it seems. Trick your friends and learn a new party trick by betting them that you can fit your body through an average piece of paper. Even the aspiring magician could find this to be a good puzzle.

Steps

Using a Standard Piece of Paper

  1. Fold the piece of paper in half. Make sure you're folding so the page is wider rather than longer (hamburger fold).[1]
  2. Cut out a rectangle. On the edge where you made the fold cut a long and skinny rectangle. Leave about an inch on the page.[1]
  3. Make the initial cut. Start on the inch stub from the previous cutout on the left side. Cut upwards towards the edge that hasn't been cut. Stop once you're about an inch away from the edge.[1]
  4. Flip the paper. Now flip the paper over and start your incision from the edge that is loose. Repeat whatever the width of the initial strip was for this strip. Do the same method as before. Stop about an inch from the edge of the page.[1]
  5. Alternate cuts till the end. Continue flipping the page after each cut until you've reached the other side of the paper.
  6. Unfold the paper. Carefully unfold your paper and you should have a flimsy ring that you can fit your body through. If you had any strips that were too thin, it could turn out extra flimsy. Practice a few times before trying to impress anyone.

Passing Through an Index Card

  1. Fold the card in half. For the index card, you'll need to fold it hotdog style, or longways.[2]
  2. Cut initial slits. From the folded edge, make two initial incisions on the left and right sides. Leave a little bit less than an inch for the index card's strips.
  3. Remove the center. Starting from one of the slits, cut parallel to the folded edge. You'll want to make the cut a little less than an inch down from the folded edge.
  4. Flip and cut. Starting from the unfolded edge, cut upwards towards the rectangle you just removed. Again, you'll want to space these slits a little under an inch.
  5. Flip and repeat. Now continue your cuts, alternating sides, until you reach the other end of the index card.
  6. Unfold the index card. Carefully unfold the paper. This will feel like you're opening up an accordion.[2] You should be able to fit through the index card.

Applying Your Trick

  1. Prepare the paper. For an extra surprise, have all the cuts completed on your paper. Give yourself a good bit of practice before you begin showcasing your trick.
    • In the preparation process, do not unfold the paper.
  2. Transport your paper. Place your pre-cut paper in either a manila envelope or a laminating template. You could really use anything, but be sure it is secure.
  3. Keep normal paper with you. A great way of introducing the trick is for the audience to see the paper before it's cut. Part of the disbelief will be your audience creating doubt when they see a regular piece or paper or an index card.
  4. Showcase the trick. Decide what type of audience you want to try the trick out on. Practice on friends and family before you incorporate the trick into your act.
    • Try bring up a bunch of hypothetical situations and include passing through paper as one. This could be a good way to introduce the trick. Careful not to let the conversation get side-tracked, or else your trick won't be relevant in conversation.
  5. Add a factor of chance. See how many people can fit into the hole. The index card technique will not yield as many people as the standard sized page.
    • Another way you could impress your audience is by following your standard sized page with the index card.
  6. Incorporate humor. Most performers of illusions and magic can offer comic relief throughout their set.[3] You could develop a persona that uses certain jokes that you wouldn't normally say.

Tips

  • It may be easier to do this with stiffer paper. If you use flimsy paper the pieces tend to flop around a lot.
  • Make your initial cuts closer together if you want to make a bigger hole.
  • Open the paper slowly so you don't rip it.
  • Exact measurements are not necessary.
  • Smaller cuts mean bigger space to fit in but don't make it too small otherwise it will break.

Warning

  • Gambling is not recommended.

Things You'll Need

  • Paper (anything the size of a postcard or bigger will do)
  • Scissors
  • Ruler (if desired)

Related Articles

Sources and Citations

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 http://www.tappi.org/paperu/fun_science/stepThrough.htm
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 http://pbskids.org/zoom/activities/games/stepthroughhole.html
  3. ↑ http://www.abrakazam.com/magic_tips_presentation.htm
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