Continuing his latest European tour, Houdini was performing at Hamburg’s Hansa Theater on Steindamm in late 1909 when he learned of a Voisin biplane being available for sale. He quickly purchased it and learned to fly at the nearby Hufaren exercise field, and taught German army officers to fly as well (something he came to regret during World War I).

The weather in Germany was ill-fit for flying, but Harry was next booked on the other side of the world — and it was summertime in Australia. The biplane was duly crated up and loaded onto the Malma, the P&O liner that would carry him and his fame across the oceans. They set sail for a new world on January 7, 1910.