magicperspectives.

net

e
pl
m
Sa
 magicperspectives.net

The Box Goes-In-Da Box

A Treatise on the Gozinta Boxes

e
pl
m

Peter Prevos
Sa

Third
Hemisphere
Publishing
 magicperspectives.net

c Peter Prevos (2016)

Third Hemisphere Publishing, Kangaroo Flat, Australia

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Australia License.
You are free to share—to copy, distribute and transmit the work under the following conditions:

b Attribution: You must attribute the work in the manner specified by the author (but not in any
way that suggests that they endorse you or your use of the work).

a Share Alike: If you alter, transform, or build upon this work, you may distribute the resulting
work only under the same or similar license to this one.

Typeset in LATEX.

e
Cover design by Angie at pro_ebookcovers.
pl
Line drawings by Peter Prevos
m
Sa

ISBN 978-0-9875669-6-6 (eBook)

magicperspectives.net
 magicperspectives.net

Contents

1 Introduction 1

2 Goes-in-Da Box 3

3 Designing Gozinta Boxes 12

4 Creating Gozinta Boxes

e 20
pl
5 Presenting Gozinta Boxes 23
m
6 Closing 29
Sa

iii
 magicperspectives.net

Chapter 1

Introduction

The life of a genius is often defined by how their creativity is able to shine

e
despite great personal adversity. Lubor Fiedler is one of those rare creative
pl
people that are able to thrive, while enduring personal suffering. Born in 1933
in what is now the Czech Republic, Lubor spent his childhood under the shadow
of the Nazi occupation. The end of the second world war didn’t liberate the
m
people of Eastern Europe as the communist regime took control of the country.
Lubor worked as a chemical engineer and occupied his evenings with magic. He
Sa

published several effects in East German magazines but the regime did not take
lightly to his unsanctioned hobby, and he was ordered to work in a coal mine as
atonement. The pressures of living in these circumstances eventually proved too
much for Lubor, and he defected to Austria where he had a career performing
and selling magic.
He called himself a “collector of secrets” and developed an oeuvre of in-
genious magic tricks using innovative methods of deception. Lubor explored
the edges of methods to create the illusion of magic and introduced inventive
methods such as hidden blow dryer to levitate an ashtray or acetone to dissolve
and move objects. Because of the unusual nature of his work, some refer to
Lubor Fiedler as the “Willy Wonka of Magic”. Six months after a candid in-
terview with Dustin Stinett was published in the March 2014 edition of Genii,
Lubor Fiedler passed away, leaving a legacy of magical inventions that earn him
a place among the pantheon of the masters of the magic.

1
 magicperspectives.net
2

Lubor Fiedler (1933–2014) on the cover

of Genii in March 2014. Photography by

e
Kari Hendler, Copyright and Reprinted by
Permission of The Genii Corporation.
pl
Lubor Fiedler became a household name among magicians when he revealed
the Lubor Die, now commonly known as the gozinta boxes. The basic plot is that
m
the magician opens a box which has a die inside of it. The box that contained
the die is then placed inside the die, creating a paradox of size and a superb
Sa

exposition of subtle topological magic. His invention was bought by Supreme

Magic, but soon several unlicensed versions appeared in the magic marketplace
and his trick is now known to almost every magician in the world.
This booklet analyses the gozinta box in great detail. The next chapter dis-
cusses the origins and use of the word gozinta and describes the history of the
gozinta box magic trick. The third chapter provides a detailed account of the de-
sign the boxes, which require the reader to have some knowledge of elementary
algebra. After these theoretical deliberations instructions are provided to create
your own gozinta boxes using construction paper, a knife and glue. The last
chapter discusses the many variations for presenting the gozinta boxes. I hope
this ebook will inspire magicians to further innovate on this enigmatic piece of
magical theatre.
 magicperspectives.net

Chapter 2

Goes-in-Da Box

The word “gozinta” (sometimes written as gazinta) is an uncommon word that,

e
according to Google ngram, first appears in the English language around 1910.1
pl
The word gozinta is a form of eye dialect, just like words such as fella instead
of “fellow” or helluva instead of “hell of a . . . ”. Eye dialect is used by groups
of people to distinguish themselves from others and is nowadays commonly
m
heard in hip-hop music and other subcultures, but the phenomenon is as old as
language itself.
Sa

The term gozinta was first used by primary school teachers to explain the
principles of long division. For example, 2 gozinta 4 because 2 × 2 = 4, 4
gozinta 12 because 3 × 4 = 12, 8 gozinta 24, 9 gozinta 72 and so on. Goz-
inta is not only a tool for primary school arithmetic, but it is also a principle
in higher mathematics. Defined formally, gozinta signifies that a number is a
factor of another number. Gozinta is also used in higher mathematics and a goz-
inta chain is a known problem in the field of combinatorics. A gozinta chain is
a sequence {1, a, b, . . . , n}, where each element properly divides the next. The
gozinta problem challenges mathematicians to find gozinta chains with certain
characteristics.2 These abstract mathematical problems find practical applica-
tions in communication engineering, especially in encryption technologies for
electronic communications and in designing acoustics in concert halls.
1 Google Books Ngram Viewer: books.google.com/ngrams/graph?content=gozinta.
2 Project Euler. Gozinta Chains: projecteuler.net/problem=548.

3
 magicperspectives.net
11

e
pl
(a) Lubor Fiedler (1970). Lubor’s Die. Supreme Magic Company.
m
Photo by Franz Kaslatter (used with permission).
Sa

(b) In-n-Outer Box, Royal Magic (c) In & Out Boxes,

(1981). Empire (2005).

Various versions of the gozinta boxes.

 magicperspectives.net

Chapter 3

Designing Gozinta Boxes

The impossibility of the gozinta magic plot is subtle and requires spectators

e
to think about what they just saw. This subtlety dissolves when the trick is
pl
expressed in mathematical language. In the sterile logic of mathematics, the
magical nature of this structure is immediately apparent. Although not suitable
for performances, using a mathematical approach helps to define uniform rules
m
for designing and constructing gozinta envelopes, boxes and even a triple goz-
inta box. This chapter describes the theoretical considerations of gozinta magic
Sa

design, which requires some knowledge of elementary algebra. The following

chapter puts this theory to practice and explains how to create gozinta magic
tricks using construction paper and sticky tape.

Gozinta Envelope

Before moving to the three-dimensional world of the Lubor Die, we first look
at the two-dimensional gozinta envelope. Let’s assume that Adair’s Gozinta
Envelopes have a width a and height b. The envelopes obviously cannot actually
fit into each other as that would be a real miracle. The area of both envelopes
is defined by a × b. Fitting one into the other implies that ab < ab, which is an
invalid statement. To simulate this reality, the internal envelope is turned ninety
degrees, and b is shorter than a. To hide the rotation, the envelopes appear to
be square as b is only marginally shorter than a. The difference between the

12
 magicperspectives.net

Chapter 4

Creating Gozinta Boxes

After these theoretical considerations, this chapter provides practical instruc-

e
tions on how to create your own gozinta boxes using nothing but a template,
pl
construction paper, a scalpel, a steel ruler and a glue stick. These instructions
will produce only simple paper versions of the boxes. Creating a performance-
quality box will require highly accurate and professional production techniques.
m
Most gozinta box effects are relatively pricey due to the production tech-
niques required to achieve the required accuracy and thin walls. Given the small
Sa

market for this effect, the boxes have to be produced in short runs which in-
creases the manufacturing cost.
With the advent of 3D-printing, short run production costs have significantly
reduced. Chris Wasshuber has pioneered this technology and his innovative
Gozinta Boxes Revisited is produced using this contemporary printing technol-
ogy. As these production techniques become more reliable and widely available,
not only gozinta boxes, but many other magic props such as Okito Boxes and so
on will be produced with much greater ease and lower cost.
When Chris attended MIT in 2005, he took a product design class where
teams were tasked to design a new product and manufacture a prototype. Chris
formed a team that worked on a shelving system that used a property of the
gozinta boxes. The product consisted of a crate with gozinta-like dimensions so
that the box could be inserted into another identical one as a drawer. Beside the
gozinta aspect, each box could also be flattened and connected to each other in

20
 magicperspectives.net

Chapter 5

Presenting Gozinta Boxes

The gozinta boxes routine is a subtle effect that is very easy to perform techni-

e
cally, but hard to present as a piece of magic. The Gozinta Boxes are a minor
pl
mystery that is not likely to ‘kill’ or ‘fry’ your audience, but it will certainly
mystify them. The gozinta plot is therefore a perfect interlude within a textured
magic show.
m
The gozinta has an illustrious performance history with some legendary ma-
gicians using this trick in their shows. Doug Henning performed a large version
Sa

in his 1981 television show and used the boxes to materialise actress Marie Os-
mond, assisted by then teen actor Ricky Schroder. The boxes were designed
by Dick Zimmerman, who innovated on the gozinta concept by introducing a
shallow lid. Paul Daniels performed the boxes on television in his 1983 Magic
Christmas Show and some years later showed the Tenyo Paradox version on a
talk show. Last, but certainly not least mentioned here is David Berglas, who
performed the gozinta boxes in his 1991 show in the Lyric Theatre in London.
Many versions of the gozinta boxes have permeated the world of magicians
and the vast majority of people that have been in magic for a while undoubtedly
own own at least one set. Most magicians are amazed by the cleverness of their
gozinta boxes, but only a few perform this routine. Most gozinta boxes are
stored in the bottom drawer of magic collections because we fail to see how to
perform gozinta magic in a meaningful way.

23
 magicperspectives.net

Chapter 6

Closing

In the past forty-five years, the gozinta boxes has attained legendary status in the

e
magic world. Its popularity is unwavering as new versions are being released
pl
every so many years. I wrote this booklet to satisfy my own curiosity on the
gozinta phenomenon, but also to inspire other magicians to develop their own
versions of this topological oddity. The design and construction chapters aim
m
to help magicians to construct their own gozinta boxes. The chapter on ways
to present the boxes are based on an extensive review of the literature. It is not
Sa

intended to provide ready-made scripts but to show the enormous diversity of

views on this topic so that you can develop your own.
This work is based on extensive internet research in the Conjuring Arts Re-
search Centre Ask Alexander website, ebook warehouse lybrary.com and The
Magic Café. I would like to thank Richard Kaufman and prolific Tenyo col-
lector John Mazza for allowing to use their images. Austrian magician Franz
Kaslatter maintains the luborfiedler.at website and also has provided some of
the images in this ebook. Lastly thanks goes to gozinta innovator Chris Wasshu-
ber for his support in writing this booklet. I have aimed for completeness writing
this material, but there is certainly more to learn about the gozinta boxes. If you
have any additional information about this trick, then please share it with me. If
you have any comments or suggestions about this booklet or like to share you
own gozinta routines, please visit magicperspectives.net and leave a message.

29
 magicperspectives.net

Bibliography

Adair, I. (1971). A score of ideas: The friendly Bideford convention 1971. Magigram,
3(5).
Adair, I. (1973). Gozinta gift boxes. Magigram, 5(10).

e
Anonymous (1985). Uncle Brookie’s surprise birthday present. Magigram,
17(12):833–836.
pl
Atkins, J. (1971). The Gozinta Box. Magigram, 4(4).
Beck, N. (2010). I’ve been thinking. M-U-M, 99(10-11):78.
m
Behr, D. (2016). Simon Pierro. The magic of a digital native. Genii, 79(7).
Belcher, L. (1976). Cover for your house. Magigram, 9(2).
Boncey, R. (1976). Alternative patter for the Gozinta Boxes. Magigram, 8(5).
Sa

Carlisle, S. (1986). Gozinta Coin. New Pentagram, 18(4):31.

Churcher, K. (1984). More gozinta. Magigram, 16(12):730.
Crabtree, R. (1977). The Smuggler or Once Upon a Customs Counter. The Linking
Ring, 57(3):70–72.
Daniels, B. (1991). Assembly Reports: Tuscon, Arizona. The Linking Ring,
81(1):49–50.
Davies, G. (1978). Tips for tricks. Magigram, 10(11).
de Courcy, K. (1972). Ideas for Supreme’s Gozinta Boxes. Magigram, 5(4).
de Courcy, K. (1977). Another routine for the Supreme Gozinta Boxes. Magigram,
9(12).
Devlin, D. (2014). Theoretical Reality. Thoughts , Theories , Philopsophies , and a
Presentation for the Gozinta Boxes.
Dusheck, S. (1982). Gozinta stacks. Magigram, 15(2):114.
Fiedler, L. (2003). The Collected Secrets of Lubor Fiedler.
Glassborow, P. (1977). On the Irish Gozinta Boxes. Magigram, 10(4).

30
 magicperspectives.net
31

Gordon, G. (1964). Without the shuffle. Genii, 28(10):383.

Harris, M. (1982). Gozinta those boxes. Magigram, 15(2):119–124.
Hayden, A. (1993). Notes on Gozinta. In Number Two Lecture Notes.
Hayden, A. and Cook, B. (1980). Sponges in a Gozinta. The Linking Ring, 60(4).
Hill, B. (1994). Illusions that Reveal the Truth. Dock Haley Gospel Magic, Hermitage,
Tenessee.
Keech, C. (1960). Gozinta Pencil. The Gen, 16(1):266–267.
Keech, C. (1972). Gozinta Pencils. In Ganson, L., editor, The Art of Close-Up Magic,
pages 275–280. Supreme Magic Company, Bideford.
Kindel, S. (1985). Applied gozinta. Forbes, 136:152–153.
Kleefield, J. (1994). Strat-O-Apples. M-U-M, 84(1):23–25.
Leveridge, M. (1979). Gozinta Pencils revided. Abracadabra, 68(1743):64–65.
Lund, R. (1963). What’s new? Abracadabra, 36(911):179.
Mario, M. (1991). Gleichgemacht (Tip zu Gozinta Boxes). (2):141.

e
Miller, A. (1976). Gozinta and a sweet load. Magigram, 8(5).
Mullica, T. (1986). Greater Magic Video Library, volume 19. Stevens Magic
pl
Emporium.
Neale, R. E. (2008). This Is Not a Book. Hermetic Press, Seattle.
Nicholson, K. (1976). The Womble box. A children’s presentation for the Gozinta
m
Boxes. Magigram, 8(11).
Pauls, J. (2003). A physicist talks about magic, or “A strange thing happened on the
way to the lab”. In Burger, E., McBride, J., Karr, T., and Breene, K., editors,
Sa

Mystery school: An adventure into the deeper meaning of magic. Miracle Factory,
Seattle.
Penn, D. (1991). This, that and ... Magigram, 23(6):306–307.
Phillips, M. (1977). Womble Gozinta Boxes. Magigram, 9(6).
Sharpe, S. (1980). Through Magic-Coloured Spectacles. Magic Circular, 74:181–183.
Sharpe, S. H. (2003). Art and Magic. Miracle Factory, Seattle.
Shutters, D. (1982). Gospel in-n-outer boxes. The Linking Ring, 62(9):78–79.
Sinclair, F. (1973). Routine for — Gozinta Boxes. Magigram, 5(11).
Smith, R. (1991). Gospel application for Gozinta Boxes. Magigram, 23(6):324.
Sondermeyer, M. (1991a). In and Out and Loaded. Apocalypse, 14(10):1986.
Sondermeyer, M. (1991b). Lubor-Würfel mit Inhalt. Magische Welt, (1):11.
Steele, G. L. and Raymond, E. S. (1990). The Jargon File.
Stickland, W. G. (1977). Lubor Die - plus. New Pentagram, 9(2):9–10.
Stinett, D. (2014). Lubor Fiedler: No Words. Genii Magazine, 77:60–76.
Stupple, R. (1992). It’s the Way I Do It.
 magicperspectives.net
32

Teo, J. (1988). My trick box(es) of tricks. The Linking Ring, 68(5):79–80.

Teo, J. (1990). Box(es) of tricks. The Linking Ring, 70(7):86–87.
Thornton, J. (1951). Gazinta Tubes. Abracadabra, 12:118–129.
Trelba (1985). Boom wave. Magigram, 17(8):565–566.
West, B. (1981). Patter for Gozinta Boxes. The Linking Ring, 61(2):80–81.
Worgan, M. (2008). Gozinta Roses. In The Secrets of Entertaining Children.
September Publishing.

e
pl
m
Sa