A thumper is a device used in a variety of magic tricks, typically with mentalism acts. It consists of small vibrating device that is triggered by a remote radio transmitter by a confederate in the audience. Practically any such device can be used, from custom equipment to everyday pagers.
In its most simple form, the confederate simply triggers the thumper at a given time. A classic strategy is to hide an object under a mug or cup, which the magician then "discovers" by slowly moving their hand over the cups and waiting for the thump. More complex forms can use codes.
References
- Clark, James (2012). Mind Magic and Mentalism For Dummies. John Wiley & Sons. pp. 281–283.
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