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In 1977 BC (before computers), it was virtually impossible to see a live demo of a magic effect. New effects came to us in books and some videos, but the demonstration was relegated to the select few talented brick and mortar magic shops.Today, we can see both amateur and professional demos on Internet shop sites and you tube. Some use sophisticated editing to smooth over rough spots in performances so you only see a final product.
There is (was) nothing like the live performance in the shop.
Magic lectures have also changed. You watch performers now who cryptically cover the explanation of a lecture item with the disclaimer that it is fully explained in his notes or DVD for sale later. This format was not always the case. Lectures featured detailed explanations and left nothing uncovered and then if you wanted an effect, you made it, practiced it or bought it.I have not been satisfied with the new lecture formats and prefer the simpler times.
As a dealer and inventor of magic, it was possible to create and manufacture an effect and there were six or more distributors who carried magic and were willing to send it out for you. They put up their money and bought great quantities (200-300 pieces per purchase). Today, the volume of a "distributor" is that he will speculate on a few dozen of an item when trying something new out. Except for about two major firms who still buy in "bulk". On the other hand, a small magic firm is able to find their customers through International magic sites and can bypass the distributors.You as a consumer, can see the latest and greatest effects direct from their creators.
The one amazing thing about magic selling is that you can conceive of an item, send samples to distributors and have it in a shop within a week. There is no other business like this in the world.
Here's a quick ad: This item went from discussion on themagiccafe.com to distribution in a few weeks.
The Steel Ball and Tube Wand
-Magic Ian
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