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In addition to relying on skills, magicians have fostered an informal code of secrecy. The secrecy is intended to protect their tricks from being exposed to the public. Magicians understandably believe that if their tricks are revealed, they will no longer be "a puzzle without solution" and prevent the audience from enjoying their show. These tricks often also require hours of long and difficult practice to master. In addition to time, magicians spend money on their illusions. After the Fox television show <i>Breaking the Magician's Code: Magic's Biggest Secrets Finally Revealed</i> aired in the 1990s, other magicians sued the Val Valentino (the Masked Magician) because he revealed the magical tricks that they used in their shows. Two magicians, Kevin, and Cindy Spencer argued that Valentino had forced them to shutter acts that had the $100,000 to create. The Spencers also stated that they were "just disappointed that someone who made his living performing the art of magic for over 25 years would be so quick to betray their community."<ref>"Fox Isn't Disillusioned as Masked Magician Series Ends", <i>Los Angeles Times</i>, Oct. 31, 1998.</ref>
In essence, science and magic are opposites. Scientists publish all of their findings for the colleagues to see and evaluate. It is an open system. Science only works if people share and verify each other results. If magicians shared all of their secrets, they could potentially destroy the mystery of magic that makes it unique and entertaining for audiences. Not understanding how a trick is done is what makes it special.<ref>Ornelas, Christoper, "[http://www.drachen.org/article/magician%E2%80%99s-oath-conversation-pat-hammond-magic-science-and-wind The Magician’s Oath: A Conversation with Pat Hammond on Magic, Science, and the Wind]" The Drachen Foundation, May 2012</ref>
====Magician's Oath====
[[File:Houdinis.jpg|thumbnail|250px|left|Poster for The Houdinis from approximately 1895 (State of Victoria Library)]]
Magicians do not have a Hogwarts. Instead, historically magic was passed from one magician to another. Typically the pupil would have to promise not to tell anyone the secret to their tricks.<ref>Ornelas, Christoper, "[http://www.drachen.org/article/magician%E2%80%99s-oath-conversation-pat-hammond-magic-science-and-wind The Magician’s Oath: A Conversation with Pat Hammond on Magic, Science, and the Wind]" The Drachen Foundation, May 2012</ref> This level of secrecy has often made it quite difficult for magicians to learn the skills necessary to be a good amateur or professional magician. It has not prevented the passage of magic skills, but it certainly slowed it. Magicians such as Harry Houdini (born Ehrich Weiss) had to pick up magic tricks from friends or develop his tricks. Unlike today, Houdini could not look for [https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002VN8XEO/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B002VN8XEO&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-20&linkId=dd9320bdcb3b90b96f86b8042809dca0 books on magic tricks] on Amazon.
Even though things have changed, if a magician agrees to teach you a course on magic they may require you swear an oath of secrecy. Today, this oath takes the form of the Magician's Oath. This oath has changed over time, but the essence has remained the same. Here is the most current version of this oath.
