In 1894, the French psychologist Alfred Binet (1857-1911) published an article entitled “The Psychology of Prestidigitation”that reportedthe results of a study conducted incollaboration with two of the best magicians ofthat period. By using a new method and new observation techniques, Binet was able to reveal some of the psychological mechanisms involved in magic tricks. Our article begins by presenting Binet’s method and the principal professional magicians that participated in his studies. Next, we present the main psychological “tools” of magicians described by Binet and look at some recent studies  dealing with those mechanisms. Finally, we take a look at the innovative technique used by Binet forhis study on magic: the chronophotograph.