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Thought Transmitter

Cornelius, John

John Cornelius

(Based on 3 reviews)
The Thought Transmitter is an ingenious device that allows you to instantly learn the secret thoughts of a spectator. And, it works two ways. You can either gain the thoughts of the spectator, or you can give the appearance of sending thoughts to the spectator.

All of this is done with a custom -designed notepad built into an opaque black wallet.

The wallet can be handled freely by a spectator. They will never find the secret gimmick. Yet, the gimmick is always there for you. Needless to say, it is extremely well-made.

In performance, the spectator draws a shape, an ESP symbol, a letter, the name of a card, etc. on a Post-It® note inside the wallet. They then close the wallet and hand it to you.

Immediately, you are able to tell them, in detail, exactly what they wrote . If you like, you can write something on the Post-It® note, then close the wallet. You are then able to transmit your thoughts to the spectator, and they correctly describe what you wrote.

Reviews

Merl Hamen

Feb 10, 2004

I have a confession to make. I read Taro semi-professionally. My card has an oval in the center of it. My client writes the name of the person she has a question about in the circle, places it in my business card holder, holds it, and concentrates on the name. The card holder is put aside and the Tarot cards are laid out. To a Tarot reader a name means everything. My reputation has been made because of this. Be very careful of its power. I really hesitated to tip this. People can become very emotional if this is used in the wrong way. In general the name should never be mentioned but can be alluded to in the course of the reading.
(Top ▲)

Lary Crews

Oct 15, 2003

And then there is the view of someone who has used Thought Transmitter in real world conditions more than 900 times. As a strolling magician outdoors (in the shade) at NBC's Tonight Show studios in Burbank for two summers, I closed EVERY set with TT because it killed every time.

I made a few minor adjustments:

1. I created a printed Post-It note which had a circle in the center - where it needed to be - and which read: "Lary Crews read my mind at NBC in Burbank."

2. I asked the spectator to print "either your initials or the initials of someone you know or your age or the age of someone you know." That made the trick easier for me but just as amazing for them.

in 900 performances, only twice did anyone say, "What's that weird little black thing? I explained that it was a wallet designed to completely hide their printing from my eyes and from any possible reflection off sunglasses or windows.
Since the peek is so PERFECTLY covered by the wrapping of the rubber bands and the device is so completely undetectable before and after the effect, it is a wonderful piece of magic which I have proven by actual real-world use.
After I revealed what the wrote and THEY opened the case to show their friends, I pulled off the printed Post-It note and said, "And here's a cheap souvineer for you, from me."
I cannot recommend this highly enough. The battery finally wore out after about 1,000 performances and I promptly bought a new one. They only time it did not work was one time I tried to use it in DIRECT sunlight.

That's how effective this is for real audiences.

Lary Crews
Las Vegas
(Top ▲)

Christian

Dec 27, 2002

Well, the ads promise a lot, don't they? And I must say they do not lie.

It works like this, you have them jot something down in a little notebook and have them close it. They hand it back to you and you do your best mentalist impression and are able to tell them what they have written. Simple!

However, like most things that seem too good to be true, there is one problem. The notebook looks like nothing you have ever seen. It is a kind of fat, clumsy thing that looks a little odd. I am not saying that every spectator will call you on this, but it is kind of bizarre. I should also point out that there is a shelf life on this effect/gimmick. I am not sure how long; I guess it would depend on how much you used it.

I can already see one problem with this effect that has nothing to do with the prop but everything to do with the performer. It is a very easy way to procure information, the first response I see from magicians is to immediately tell the spectator what they wrote. Well, now! That seems a bit fishy. Why have me write something, just to immediately tell me what I wrote?

I believe the true value of this devise is as a utility piece to gather information to be used in a more creative and entertaining way. Of course, that will be on you to decide the best way to use it.

3 stars
Sergeant
(Top ▲)