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Robert Stull

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Robert Stull
BornRobert Judson Stull
January 23, 1893
San Jose, California
DiedJune 2, 1981 (age 88)
Fullerton, California

Robert "Bob" Stull (1893-1981) was a master mechanic, inventor of many illusions and owner of Stull Magic Company in San Francisco.

Biography

Stull became a pioneer in the field of radio and was broadcasting as early as 1907 twice weekly over his own station, 6XE, to listeners who own crystal sets. He claimed to have invented the word "Broadcasting" and became the world's first "disk jockey" when, in 1909, he interspersed radio technical talk between phonograph records supplied by a local dealer.

He invented the first solid state diode (1908), the repeating spear gun for scuba diving, dripless syrup servers, the first automatic sports scoreboard at U.C.Berkeley in 1912, many automotive safety devices, and a pocket note taker for the blind.

His magical inventions included "The Barrel Illusion", "The Stull Watch," "The Stull Fishbowl," "The Stull Bullet Catching Effect" and the "Stull Cigarette Gimmick". All marketed through his Stull Magic Company.


Stull belonged to 16 magical societies, including a charter membership in the Academy of Magical Arts (Magic Castle). Stull's extensive handcuff collection and many of his magic inventions were once on display at the Magic Castle in Hollywood in the "Bob Stull Museum". In his later years, after he lost his sight, he could still be counted on for a solution to mechanical problems at the Magic Castle.[1]

Awards and honors

Creative Fellowship from the Academy of Magical Arts (1978)

References

  1. Obit, Genii 1981 August