Impossible by Clifton Mitchell, T and L Magic

Clifton Mitchell can’t help but be a perfectionist and one of his latest creations is an almost perfect replica of the switchboard effect released in 1968 by T & L Magic called Impossible. Clift was so inspired when he saw this effect on my site he had to figure it out and build his own replica as best as he was able given the original was created in 1968 (57 years ago). Clift really did an amazing job here and as with all of Clift’s items they are created in very small numbers, my version is #5.

Clift’s version is actually better than the original for the following reasons:

• He has made the perspex case smaller so that it will fit into a more convenient sized presentation case.  The larger top in the original didn’t really serve any useful purpose.
• The Bulbs are completely clear which make the effect even more impossible because now everything can be clearly seen.

What this really has going for it is clarity and authenticity – everything is out in the open and it looks old and beyond reproach. I found a great looking box to house it which is not old but it still looks perfect for this marvel.

This works precisely as the routine says, with no secret moves, nothing added or taken away, and apparently nothing to go wrong.

One thing to remember this does require 110 volt, 60 cycle, A.C., so please do not think about this unless you live in the USA. The switches and the bulbs are gimmicked but there is nothing you can tell by looking at them.  But NEVER put the bulbs in a normal socket, they will blow straight away!

This is a rare electronic beauty that you will love.  I have changed the patter for my routine a little which will be seen in an up coming Speed Demo.

Includes:

• The Impossible Box.
• A gimmicked pair of Red and Green Light Bulbs.
• A SPARE back-up pair of gimmicked Red and Green Light Bulbs.
• A wonderful Presentation box ($50 Bonus).

Effect: (The Original Routine) A Transparent Plastic Box containing two common light sockets and switches attached to a lamp cord is shown to Spectators and may be examined by them. Performer calls attention to the fact that the Switches and Sockets are wired in Series (much like the old fashion Christmas Tree Lights that all went out if one bulb was loose or burned out). The bare copper wiring clearly visible thru the transparent box shows this to be true.

Performer now shows two different colored Light Bulbs (RED and GREEN) and proceeds to screw the bulbs into the sockets in Box, placing the RED bulb in the socket directly above the RED switch and the GREEN bulb in the socket directly above the GREEN switch. Performer now plugs the lamp cord from the “Impossible Box” into an electrical outlet.( 110 Volt A.C. ONLY) Performer at this point calls attention to the spectators, that since the Box is wired in Series and both switches are OFF the bulbs cannot light until both switches are turned ON.

Performer Now Says “However when I turn ON the RED switch (the Red light comes ON, when I turn the Red switch OFF, the Red light goes Out. When I turn ON the GREEN switch, the GREEN light comes ON. or when I turn ON both switches, both lights come ON.” Performer may now turn lights ON and OFF in any sequence he desires and may let spectators do so. Box may be tipped in any direction and it will not affect its operation.

After switching the lights ON and OFF, the Performer now turns both lights ON. He then loosens either bulb in it’s socket, both lights go out. As he does this, he calls the spectators attention to the fact that this proves that the wiring is in Series, like the old Christmas Tree Lights, if it were any other way, only the bulb that was loosened would go out.

Performer turns both switches OFF and removes both bulbs from the sockets, tipping Box (after removing bulbs) as if to show the spectators that there was nothing in the sockets causing the lights to function as they did. Attention may be called to the fact that they are ordinary socket if desired ). Performer screws bulbs back into sockets ( But this time he reverses the position of the bulbs, placing the RED Bulb in the socket above the GREEN switch and the GREEN Bulb above the RED Switch. Performer says “You will remember, that before when we turned the RED switch ON the light in the socket above it lit and when turned the GREEN Switch ON, the bulb in the socket above it lit.”

Performer now says, “I turn ON the RED Switch and RED Bulb lights and I turn ON the GREEN Switch and the GREEN Bulb lights.” (Performer turns ON the Red Switch just as he says the word RED and turns ON the GREEN Switch just as he says Other. Performer gives the impression that he, too, is surprised to find that the Red switch has lit the Red bulb in the opposite socket and the GREEN switch has lit the GREEN bulb in the opposite socket from the first part of the presentation. Timing of turning ON the switches and the above Patter is important to making the most Impact with the effect.)

The switches may now be turned ON and OFF in any sequence desired and either bulb may be loosened to again prove that the wiring is in Series.

Performer may give explanation of the Effect, that like things sometimes attract and that is why the RED Switch lights the RED bulb, etc.

Found something wrong? Help us improve things by clicking here!