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Magic is among the oldest of the performing arts and has probably existed nearly as long as civilization itself. Originally, magic was performed by religious leaders as part of worship rites that showed the power of both a particular god and of the priest who served him. Early magicians had to create each magic trick and the method of performing the trick themselves. There wasn't a local magic shop and the secrets were carefully guarded and passed on only to chosen apprentices.

Magicians were referred to as sorcerers or witches and the illusions they performed were not recognized as magic tricks. Reginald Scott published a book called “The Discoverie of Witchcraft” in 1584, which provided an explanation of the way that many a magic trick was performed. Sleight of hand wasn't used only by sorcerers and witches; it was also employed by street thieves who would use misdirection as part of their strategy to steal purses.

In the 1700s, Jacob Philadelphia and John Eugene Robert-Houdin brought magic into the theater. Houdin designed and built each complex magic trick himself. There was no magic shop from which to purchase illusions. Each magic trick was created by the individual magician. In the 1800s magic became a popular entertainment and magicians appeared in theaters and traveling shows. People who specialized in creating illusions for these magicians began to make an appearance and the first magic shops were born.

Inevitably, more and more people learned the way in which a magic trick was performed. The great magician, Harry Houdini, while protecting the secrets of his own illusions, exposed the tricks used by mediums to fool their customers. Séances were also popular during the 1800s and most of the so-called mediums or spiritualists used standard magic tricks to fool their customers. As a magician, Houdini knew how the tricks worked and exposed them in order to debunk the mediums.

Magic continued to be popular during the 20th century. Most early variety shows on television would include a magic act. The wide exposure of this medium created more of a demand for new illusions. It also created a demand among non-professional magicians. The magic shop became fairly commonplace and many amateur magicians would buy tricks to wow their friends and family. Children were often among the best customers at magic shops.

Magic remains a popular form of entertainment, both in live shows and on television. As the public has become savvier about the way magic work, newer magic tricks have become more and more sophisticated. Many magicians still design their own illusions and protect their secrets closely. Some others, like Penn and Teller, have become noted for exposing the way that certain magic tricks are performed.

It's possible for most people to purchase standard illusions at a magic shop. There are any number of books available that describe how popular illusions are performed. The disappearing woman, the rabbit from a hat and most card tricks are popular illusions that can be learned by most amateurs. If you want to learn how to do a magic trick, visit a magic shop or buy one of the many books on magic and illusions.