A levitation illusion is one in which a magician appears to defy gravity by making an object or person float in the air. The subject may appear to levitate unassisted, or it may be performed with the aid of another object (such as a silver ball floating around a cloth) in which case it is termed a "suspension". Various methods are used to create such illusions. The levitation of a magician or assistant can be achieved by a concealed platform or hidden wires, or in smaller-scale illusions by standing on tiptoe in a way that conceals the foot which is touching the ground. Of people Asrah levitation In Asrah levitation, an assistant lies down and is fully covered with a cloth. The assistant then appears to levitate beneath the cloth, before slowly floating down. As the magician pulls the cloth away, the assistant is seen to have vanished. The trick uses a structure of thin wire that is placed over the assistant at the same time as the cloth. The wire structure can be raised while the assistant escapes unseen. This illusion is credited to Servais Le Roy and was first performed with his wife as assistant in 1902. Balducci levitation The performer stands at an angle facing away from the spectators, and appears to levitate a few inches above the ground. The effect generally does not last for more than five seconds. The performer's feet return to the ground, and the effect is complete. The trick is performed by standing on the front of one foot, while raising the one foot and the visible part of the other foot, blocking the view of the front of the supporting foot with the other foot and rear part of the supporting foot. This illusion was first described by Ed Balducci in 1974. Its inventor is unknown. King levitation The performer is viewed from the side. The performer's legs are commonly covered for a moment at the beginning of the effect, perhaps by a jacket. The performer's whole body is clearly visible. The performer suddenly appears to levitate a few inches above the ground. Both feet are clearly seen to be in the air. The levitation usually lasts just a few seconds. The trick is performed by removing the shoe furthest from the audience, and turning that foot 90 degrees away from the audience, with the empty shoe clamped between both feet.