Magician Robert-Houdin performed this trick in 1846 (without the fingerprint reader) [1]<p>He used the &quot;Light and Heavy Chest&quot; to demonstrate his ability to remove the strength of men for political ends.<p>[1] <a href="http:&#x2F;&#x2F;www.themagicdetective.com&#x2F;2012&#x2F;05&#x2F;politics-magic-and-wooden-chest.html" rel="nofollow">http:&#x2F;&#x2F;www.themagicdetective.com&#x2F;2012&#x2F;05&#x2F;politics-magic-and-...</a>