All of you familiar with the history of escapes will recognize the importance of the British Handcuff companies. Houdini made them famous in his shows and writings. The major companies whose products Houdini encountered would have been Hiatt, Froggatt and Field. Only Hiatt survives today.

Much of the history of these companies and their wares has been rather obscure.

The Hiatt company (UK) and Hiatt-Thompson (USA) web sites spin a tale about a “Mr. Hiat” with one “T” who founded the company in Birmingham on Masshouse Lane in 1780. Unfortunately most of this familiar story seems to be myth.

I have just posted an article on the Handcuffs.Org web site outlining some of my research into the history of Hiatt and its Birmingham competitors.

Enjoy

Joe

Hi Joe,

As I am currently living in Birmingham, England have found this most interesting. I haven't managed to read it all as yet so I've saved the page to my computer. I hope you don't mind.

Roslyn

Joe,
Thanks for all the hard work in gathering your information. I was honored to have seen and read your reasearch-in-progress in Indy. FANTASTIC. It is so valuable to preserve the history, sort fact from myth, and share what we learn with each other. Thanks again Joe, GREAT job! John Bushey