I know Houdini's first public performance for the Water Torture Cell was on September 21, 1912, at the Circus Busch in Berlin, Germany.

Would anyone know when it was first performed in the U.S.? I ask because I have part of a Detroit Tribune newspaper
that contains an ad for Houdini's show at the Temple Theater in Detroit and features the Chinese Water Torture Cell.
The newspapers date is January 17, 1915.

I think John Cox might know. You can contact him at his blog Wild About Harry.

I recently fired John an email about this. Let's see what he says.

Thanks Leo

You're welcome! Waiting for John's answer. It would be safe to say he's the world's leading authority on Houdini.

John read my message and will look it up.

John got back with me. The answer is June 2, 1913, at Hammerstein’s Roof Garden in New York.

Thanks Leo, I really appreciate it.

You're welcome! We owe this one to John.

Tell him thanks for me.

I will.