(1)No one before or after left such an impression, and most people on the street even today know who he was.
(2)That is a Tough One honestly, Houdini Started as a Magician But Died an Escape Artist, this is a HUGE difference, Now please do not get me wrong, but He may have been the Most Famous "Magician" But he by far was the best. Look up a man by the name of Dai Vernon. He is considered by far a better magician than Houdini, infact when Houdini Said if he saw a card trick more than 3 times he would figure it out, Dai Vernon was the only magician to ever fool Houdini, do you homework and read it for yourself.