1. Overview
Dai Vernon (born David Frederick Wingfield Verner; June 11, 1894 - August 21, 1992), often referred to as The Professor, was a highly influential Canadian magician. He is widely recognized for his unparalleled mastery of sleight of hand techniques, particularly in the realm of card magic and close-up magic. Vernon's innovative approach to magic emphasized natural presentation and profound understanding, a philosophy that became known as the "Vernon Touch." His contributions revolutionized modern magic, transforming it from a mere trick to an art form focused on authenticity and audience engagement. Throughout his long career, Vernon not only developed numerous groundbreaking routines and techniques but also served as a dedicated mentor to countless aspiring and professional magicians, leaving an indelible mark on the global magic community. His dedication to perfecting the craft and his emphasis on genuine performance solidified his legacy as a true artist and an enduring muse for generations of magicians.
2. Early Life and Background
Dai Vernon was born as David Frederick Wingfield Verner on June 11, 1894, in Ottawa, Canada. His father, a government worker and an amateur magician, introduced him to the world of magic at an early age. Vernon often recounted learning his first trick from his father when he was seven, wryly adding that he had "wasted the first six years" of his life. His passion for magic was ignited when he was taken to see a magic show at the age of seven.
His dedication to the art grew rapidly. The first serious magic book Vernon acquired was an early edition of The Expert at the Card Table by S. W. Erdnase. By the remarkably young age of 13, Vernon had completely memorized its extensive contents, demonstrating an early aptitude and commitment to mastering card manipulation. He also had a notable early encounter with another young magician, Cliff Green, from his hometown. When Green asked what kind of magic Vernon performed, Vernon famously asked Green to name a card, then, pulling a pack from his pocket, revealed the named card on top, declaring, "That's the kind of magic I do. What kind of magic do you do?"
Vernon pursued formal education, studying mechanical engineering at the Royal Military College of Canada in Kingston, Ontario. However, by the time of World War I, his focus had shifted, and he relocated to New York City. In New York, he immersed himself in the local magic scene, finding a supportive environment among contemporary magicians like Dr. James William Elliott, Nate Leipzig, and Harry Kellar in the back room of Clyde Powers's magic shop.
His stage name, Dai Vernon, evolved from his birth name. He began using "Dai" after a newspaper abbreviated "David" to "Dai," which is a common Welsh nickname for David. Upon his initial move to the United States, his surname Verner was frequently mistaken for "Vernon," a surname shared by a popular ice-skating performer of the time. Annoyed by the constant need for correction, he eventually adopted "Vernon" as his last name.
3. Career
Vernon's career was marked by his unwavering pursuit of perfection in sleight of hand and his diverse professional endeavors.
3.1. Early Career and Influences
Due to his vast knowledge and exceptional skill in sleight of hand, Vernon was affectionately known as The Professor throughout his career. One of his most legendary accomplishments was baffling the renowned escape artist and magician Harry Houdini. Houdini, who in his early career billed himself as "The King of Kards," often boasted that he could decipher any card trick if he saw it performed three times. Vernon then presented Houdini with a trick, later known as the Ambitious Card, where he would remove a card from the top of the deck, place it second from the top, and then magically make it reappear on top. Houdini watched Vernon perform the trick seven times (some accounts say five), repeatedly insisting, "Do it again." Ultimately, Houdini's wife and Vernon's friends intervened, conceding, "Face it, Houdini, you're fooled." For many years afterward, Vernon proudly used the title The Man Who Fooled Houdini in his advertisements, a testament to his extraordinary skill.
Beyond formal magic circles, Vernon actively sought out crooked gamblers and professional card cheats, recognizing their mastery of subtle manipulations. He would observe and interact with them to gather ideas and insights for his close-up magic, understanding that their real-world application of sleight of hand held valuable lessons for the art of illusion. This unconventional research significantly enriched his repertoire and deepened his understanding of deception.
3.2. Professional Pursuits
Despite being highly respected by professional magicians across the country, partly due to exposure in magazines like The Sphinx, Vernon largely remained a gifted amateur until his forties. For much of his early life, he did not hold a steady full-time job for more than a few months at a time. He occasionally performed magic at nightclubs or on cruise ships, traveling to and from South America. During World War II, he also toured the Philippines as an entertainer with the United Service Organizations (USO), bringing entertainment to service members. His background in mechanical engineering also allowed him to work occasionally as a blueprint reader.
However, Vernon's primary source of income for many years was cutting custom silhouette portraits. This talent allowed him to earn 0.25 USD to 0.5 USD per silhouette, with each taking approximately two minutes to complete, during the 1920s and 1930s. This income was substantial when compared to the first U.S. minimum wage of 0.25 USD per hour established in 1938. He maintained a friendly relationship with fellow silhouettist E. J. Perry (artist) at Coney Island. A few hours of silhouette cutting each week were generally sufficient to support his family and finance his passionate pursuit of sleight of hand. Vernon dedicated much of his early life to traveling across the United States, constantly searching for card cheats and anyone who possessed knowledge of card manipulation, further expanding his practical understanding of the art.
3.3. Key Magical Innovations
Vernon is widely credited with inventing or significantly improving many standard close-up effects involving cards, coins, and other small objects. His profound influence is evident in several iconic routines that continue to be performed by magicians worldwide. The "standard" cups and balls routine performed today is largely attributed to his innovative staging and methodology. Similarly, his six-ring "Symphony of the Rings" remains one of the most popular and influential Chinese linking rings routines, showcasing his ability to elevate classic tricks to new artistic heights.
Beyond these celebrated routines, Vernon was also active in diverse fields of magic, including stage magic, coin magic, card magic, and mental magic. While many of his contributions involved refining and enhancing existing classical illusions, he also pioneered entirely new principles and methods within the art. Magicians often observe that tricks performed under Vernon's guidance or based on his principles acquire a distinct quality, often referred to as the "Vernon Touch." Many of his developed works were meticulously structured to be accessible and performable by any magician, reflecting his commitment to sharing and evolving the craft.
3.4. "The Professor" and "Vernon Touch" Philosophy
Dai Vernon earned the esteemed title of "The Professor" from magicians around the world due to his immense knowledge, unparalleled skill, and generous spirit in sharing his expertise. He was even affectionately called "the god of magic" by some. Central to his teachings was the "Vernon Touch," a philosophical approach that emphasized naturalness, fluidity, and psychological subtleties in performance. This philosophy was encapsulated in his famous dictum, "Be natural, Be yourself."
Vernon's teaching stressed that magic should appear effortless and spontaneous, never like a series of disjointed moves. He believed in presenting magic as if it were a natural occurrence, rather than a sequence of contrived actions. This focus on natural presentation and genuine self-expression not only enhanced the deceptive quality of his magic but also allowed the performer's personality to shine through, creating a more engaging and memorable experience for the audience.
3.5. Contributions to Magic Literature
Vernon's deep understanding of sleight of hand and its underlying principles significantly contributed to magic literature, even if he did not author many books himself. He was notably under-credited for much of the groundbreaking work published in Jean Hugard and Frederick Braue's seminal text, Expert Card Technique. A later edition of the book eventually included an additional chapter acknowledging Vernon's substantial contributions, recognizing that a vast portion of the advanced sleight of hand techniques detailed within had been discovered and refined by him through years of dedicated research and practice.
Although Vernon himself wrote relatively few books, his theories, techniques, and performances have been extensively analyzed and documented by others. Numerous books, videos, DVDs, and instructional pamphlets exist that meticulously explain and illustrate his concepts, ensuring that his invaluable knowledge remains accessible to new generations of magicians.
4. Mentorship and Influence
Vernon's role as a mentor was as significant as his innovations in performance. He nurtured and guided many prominent magicians who went on to become legends in their own right. His students and proteges included Ricky Jay, Persi Diaconis, Doug Henning, Larry Jennings, Bruce Cervon, Michael Ammar, John Carney, Richard Turner, and Michael Skinner.
For decades, particularly during his tenure at the Magic Castle, Vernon was a central figure in the magic community, offering insights, critiques, and encouragement. His emphasis on perfecting every nuance of a move, combined with his philosophy of naturalness, profoundly impacted his students. He taught them not just tricks, but a way of thinking about magic-as an art form that requires deep study, relentless practice, and genuine self-expression. His teachings focused on the psychology of deception and the importance of practice to the point where the mechanics of a trick became invisible.
In 1969, Vernon made his first visit to Japan, invited by the magic company Tenyo. During his visit, he notably praised Japanese magician Hiroshi Sawa, recognizing his talent and contributions to the art. The lasting impact of Vernon's teachings and innovations continues to shape the magic community, with countless magicians drawing inspiration from his work and philosophy.
5. Magic Castle and Later Years
In 1963, Dai Vernon took up residence and became the Magician-in-Residence at the Magic Castle, an exclusive specialty nightclub located in Hollywood, Los Angeles, California. This became his home and professional base for the last three decades of his life. At the Magic Castle, he was not only a star attraction but also continued his vital role as a mentor, guiding and inspiring numerous magicians within its halls.
Vernon officially retired from performing in 1990 at the age of 96, having dedicated nearly a century to the art of magic. Even in his later years, his presence at the Magic Castle drew magicians from all over the world eager to learn from "The Professor."
6. Personal Life
In 1924, Dai Vernon married Eugenie "Jeanne" Hayes, who was a magician's assistant. Together, they had two sons, Theodore and Derek. One of his sons, Edward Wingfield Verner, was also a magician. By the 1950s, Vernon and Jeanne began living separately, though they never formally divorced.
7. Writings and Publications
While Dai Vernon himself authored relatively few books, his techniques, theories, and performances have been extensively documented and compiled by others, ensuring his knowledge continues to be shared. Many of the significant publications featuring his work were edited or written by Lewis Ganson.
Notable books and publications include:
- Secrets ($20 Manuscript) (circa 1930)
- Dai Vernon's Select Secrets (1941)
- The First California Lecture (1947)
- The Dai Vernon Book of Magic (1957)
- Dai Vernon Cups and Balls Routine (1958)
- Dai Vernon's Symphony of the Rings (1958)
- Dai Vernon's Inner Secrets of Card Magic (1959)
- Dai Vernon's More Inner Secrets of Card Magic (1960)
- Dai Vernon's Further Inner Secrets of Card Magic (1961)
- Malini & His Magic (1962)
- Early Vernon (1962)
- Dai Vernon's Tribute to Nate Leipzig (1963)
- Ultimate Secrets of Card Magic (1967)
- Dai Vernon's Expanded Lecture Notes (1970)
- Dai Vernon's Revelations (1984)
- The Lost Inner Secrets (1987)
- The More Lost Inner Secrets
- The Further Lost Inner Secrets
- The Fooled Houdini: Dai Vernon a Magical Life
- Vernon Touch (2006)
- The Essential Dai Vernon (2009, collected work)
8. Death
Dai Vernon died on August 21, 1992, in Ramona, in San Diego County, California, at the age of 98. Following his death, he was cremated. According to biographer Karl Johnson, a box containing his ashes was brought back to the Magic Castle, where it was placed for display on a high ledge, amidst a collection of photographs and other memorabilia from his long and impactful life in magic.
9. Legacy and Evaluation
Dai Vernon's legacy in the world of magic is monumental and enduring. He is widely celebrated among magicians for inventing, refining, and significantly improving a vast number of standard close-up effects, particularly those involving cards, coins, and other small objects. His definitive version of the cups and balls routine is still considered the standard, and his intricate six-ring "Symphony of the Rings" remains one of the most frequently performed Chinese linking rings routines to this day. His contributions ensured that classical magic principles remained relevant and continued to evolve, demonstrating his commitment to elevating the art form.
His profound influence extends far beyond individual tricks; Vernon fundamentally reshaped the way magicians think about and present their craft. His "Vernon Touch" philosophy, emphasizing naturalness, fluid movements, and the psychology behind deception, encouraged a more artistic and less mechanical approach to magic. This focus on authenticity and engagement has inspired generations of performers to strive for a deeper connection with their audience, moving beyond mere technical execution to truly create moments of wonder.
Vernon's life and work have been chronicled in various forms, solidifying his place in popular culture and the history of magic. In June 2006, the first in-depth biography of Vernon, Dai Vernon: A Biography, Artist * Magician * Muse (Vol. 1: 1894-1941), was released by Squash Publishing. Written by Canadian magician David Ben, this was the first of a planned two-volume series, offering a comprehensive look into his early life and career. Additionally, a 1999 documentary titled Dai Vernon: The Spirit Of Magic explored his life and contributions. His influence has also reached the silver screen; the character of "The Professor," portrayed by Hal Holbrook in the 2003 film Shade, was based on Dai Vernon, and another character in the film, "Vernon" played by Stuart Townsend, was named in his honor, further testament to his iconic status within the magical arts.