Escapology is the art of escaping from restraints or other forms of confinement. This discipline of escapology (or escape artistry), traverses physical agility and mental acuity. Escapology has been practiced since early civilizations but gained considerable popularity during the 19th and 20th centuries with performers like Harry Houdini showcasing their escapology skills and showmanship on public stages. Escapologists employ a combination of lock picking, contortionism, flexibility, sleight of hand, and strength to liberate themselves from handcuffs, straightjackets, cages, coffins, steel boxes or other seemingly inescapable contraptions. A blend of entertainment and daredevilry, escapology extends beyond magical spectacle to probe the human capacity for problem-solving under extreme conditions and the ability to realize freedom despite heavy shackles and daunting constraints. Escape artistry has roots in stage magic and illusionism, but many techniques used in escapology have practical applications in emergency situations involving entrapment or abduction scenarios.