David Phelps Abbott
(Falls City, Nebraska: 22 September 1863 - 12 June 1934)
Inspired by school show of the Obedient Ball. Wealthy businessman and loan shark. Amateur magician who performed for invited guests in his private theater in his home. Perfected the Talking Teakettle in 1907. Invented the Talking Vase in 1909.
Wrote Behind the Scenes with the Mediums (1907, 328pp; 5th ed revised, 1916, 328pp), The Marvelous Creations of Joseffy (1908, 24pp), The History of a Strange Case (1908, 50pp), The Spirit Portrait Mystery (1913), and the posthumously published David P. Abbott's Book of Mysteries (1977, 183pp). Articles in Open Court Magazine.
