WHEELING (WBBM NEWSRADIO) - Inside a warehouse in Wheeling is 25,000 square feet full of magic and fun.
"FUN Incorporated was founded by Jules Traub. It started out as a small magic company, where they made practical jokes and magic," said Andrew Michals, owner of FUN Incorporated, a place where you can find anything that makes you wonder, whim and laugh.
Traub was the first to develop the idea of using a revolving display rack to sell merchandise through mainstream retailers, not just magic and novelty outlets.
In the 1970s, magician Marshall Brodien contracted with Fun Inc. to manufacture the popular line of “TV Magic” tricks and sets.
"It grew over time. My family is the third owner of the business,” Michals added. “I bought it in 2012. We sell everything from magic kits of every level. Our most famous product is called the ‘Magic Coloring Book’ which is a trick that goes back hundreds of years.
"We also sell all kinds of practical jokes. We manufacture our own fake vomit, in our vomitorium," he laughed. "We were the first to make the chattering teeth, jumbo sunglasses, clown gags, things that we've made for decades. We also have whoopee cushions, fart machines and stinking gum, all kinds of stuff like that.”
Fun Inc. has been around since 1941. It's a magic shop for magicians.
"It's amazing to envision the products that end up in the hands of an aspiring magician and a future professional magician,” Michals said.
Michals is the Willie Wonka of his factory showing off his warehouse.
“This is our department of magic and mischief. We have two different sides: manufacturing and inventory,” said Michals.
His love for what he does began as a young magician.
"My love for magic began as a little boy,” he said. “I got my first magic kit when I was 10 and I started doing magic shows, and I was the youngest magician in Chicago doing shows at birthday parties and such. My newspaper ad said, ‘Magic for kids by a kid,’” he recalled.
Michals said everything is made on site.
"We have about 100 tools, 1,000 different items in inventory,” Michals said.
Plastic injection molding and vintage machinery handles all the manufacturing.
"This is a vacuform machine. All of our kits are made and molded here,” noted Michals. “This is probably more than 50 years old, but it works. We have old printing presses that get used in our manufacturing. There are some drills that we use for some other top secret products.”
Michals now works with David Copperfield, Penn & Teller, Jamie Allen, Lance Burton and dozens of local performers.
"We've made t-shirts for David Copperfield. We created a magic kit especially for Penn & Teller,” Michals said. “We make promotional products for magicians that perform at trade shows. We also are a go-to company for magic kits. A magician might need a custom magic kit with their logos, their labels for the performer."
Michals said sadly, brick and mortar magic shops have disappeared, and the majority of their products are sold online.
"Chicago used to have a handful of magic shops, but, now, there's literally only one left, Magic Incorporated, in the Chicagoland area. There's nothing like walking into a magic shop,” Michals said.
Although magic shops are disappearing, Michals said shows like "America's Got Talent" and other reality shows have boosted the interest in magic and magic theater.
"Actors, haunted house actors do a little magic,” Michals said. “Magic is everywhere. It plays a part in movies, exhibits, museums, theater shows, theme parks. Magic is always going to be there.
"Magic is still so popular, fake vomit is still a hot seller," he laughed. "People are always thinking of new ideas from something old to something new.”
FUN Incorporated is America's largest magic trick manufacturer. The products are available in some stores and online. Royal Magic, is the magic wing of the company.
Michals said he's in the business of enchantment and laughter, things that never go out of style.
"It is the best medicine. Between practical jokes and magic, it's a lot of fun, no pun intended. I love it,” Michals said.
FUN Incorporated, making magic for more than 80 years and made in Chicago.
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