Wednesday, February 03, 2010
The Mighty Atom: The Human BridgeYes, that's "The Mighty Atom supporting that bridge on his chest (while lying on a bed of nails). I think Slim the Hammer Man has The Atom's bed of nails in his Dungeon Gym.
Labels: Bed of Nails, Dungeon Gym, Feats of Strength, Human Bridge, Slim The Hammerman, Supporting Feat, The MIghty Atom
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Monday, January 25, 2010
The Mighty Atom ~ Nail DrivingAnother classic shot ofThe Mighty Atom performing The Nail Driving Feat - a feat he did until well into his 70s. For more information about The Mighty Atom and his nail driving prowess, you'll want to sit down with the Hammer Man.
Labels: Feats of Strength, Nail Driving, Oldtime Strongman Feat, The MIghty Atom
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Wednesday, January 20, 2010
The Mighty Atom's PerformancesI actually know several individuals who saw The Mighty Atom perform back in the day. Here's a few bits of memorabilia from when you could still catch his live show.
Labels: Performing Strongman, Strongman Collectible, The MIghty Atom
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Tuesday, October 20, 2009
The Mighty AtomAbove, The Mighty Atom Joseph Greenstein shows that he's still got it - Vitality! This picture was taken on a portable stage at the York Interstate Fair, where the Mighty Atom appeared for 44 consecutive years.
Labels: The MIghty Atom
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Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Chain BreakingLook familiar? Slim The Hammer Man learned this classic strongman feat from The Mighty Atom. You can see Slim perform this feat live here.
Labels: Chain Breaking, Chest Expansion, Classic Strongman Feats, Slim The Hammerman, The MIghty Atom
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Sunday, July 12, 2009
Chain Breaking Through Chest ExpansionThe Mighty Atom demonstrates one of the classic oldtime strongman feats: breaking chains through chest expansion. The Atom taught the secrets of this feat to Slim The Hammerman. Slim also performed this feat in his act for years thus carrying on the Atom's legacy. In case you're interested in learning too, Slim covers this feat in detail in his strength DVD.
Labels: Chain Breaking, Chest Expansion, Feats of Strength, Slim The Hammerman, The MIghty Atom
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Sunday, May 24, 2009
The Mighty Atom Escapes!Back in the Summer of 1939, The Mighty Atom Joseph Greenstein attempted an amazing (and quite dangerous) feat. He would be chained to a chair with a car traveling at 40 miles per hour spaced out far enough to give him two minutes of lead time. If the Atom couldn't break free of the chains in time the speeding automobile would run right over him. Pic magazine was on hand with a photo crew to document the action, and, as you can see, the Atom made it - barely.
Labels: Chain Breaking, Feat, Joseph Greenstein, The MIghty Atom
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Thursday, April 09, 2009
The Mighty Atom's Shoes... Speaking of shoes, here's a pair which used to belong to The Mighty Atom. These currently reside in Slim the Hammerman's Dungeon Gym. -- If you're lucky and know a few people who know a few people you may actually get to see them in person someday... Otherwise, if you show up uninvited at the Hammerman's place you can expect a size-16 boot print on your forehead.
Labels: Dungeon Gym, Slim The Hammerman, Strongman Memorabilia, The MIghty Atom, The Mighty Atom's Shoes
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All Contents, Including Images and Text, Copyright © 2010 by John Wood and Thunderdome Media Inc., Not to be reproduced without permission, All Rights Reserved
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Two Legends: John Grimek and The Mighty Atom I think it's safe to say that the York Barbell Company in York Pennsylvania is where everything in the strength world once came together... Here's a meeting between legendary oldtime strongman The Mighty Atom, Joe Greenstein and equally legendary bodybuilder John Grimek.
This meeting occured at the annual Pennsylvania Interstate Fair, at which the Atom performed feats of strength until well into his 70s. Here 'The Atom 'is showing John Grimek a poster from his recent series of performances back in the Motherland.
Labels: John Grimek, The MIghty Atom, York Barbell Company, York Pennsylvania
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Friday, February 13, 2009
A Meeting of The LegendsWhen you trained at York Barbell, you never knew who might stop by for a visit. On this particular day, 2x Gold Medal Winner and 4x Mr. Universe winner Tommy Kono, Mr. America, Mr. Universe and first man to crack the 1000 pound barrier Steve Stanko, "Mr. Weightlifting" Norb Schemansky and The Mighty Atom, Joe Greenstein got together for a session. That's a lot of history in one place at one time!
Labels: 1940 Mr. America Contest, Mr. Universe, Mr. Weightlifting, Norb Schemansky, Steve Stanko, The MIghty Atom, Tommy Kono, York Barbell Club
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All Contents, Including Images and Text, Copyright © 2010 by John Wood and Thunderdome Media Inc., Not to be reproduced without permission, All Rights Reserved
Friday, December 12, 2008
The Mighty Atom - Nail DrivingThe Mighty Atom was a master of many unusual strength feats, one of which was driving a nail through thick wooden boards with his bare hand. He performed this feat for decades, even into his 70s. In fact, in his Dungeon Gym Slim The Hammer Man still has the last nail the Might Atom ever drove.
Labels: Nail Driving, Slim The Hammerman, Strength Feat, The Dungeon, The MIghty Atom
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All Contents, Including Images and Text, Copyright © 2010 by John Wood and Thunderdome Media Inc., Not to be reproduced without permission, All Rights Reserved
Tuesday, December 09, 2008
The Mighty Atom - Chain BitingAmong the Mighty Atom's incredible feats was the ability to bite steel chains and nails clean in half. The results are shown in the inset. Amazingly, The Atom was not the only strongman who could perform this feat Siegmund Breitbart could do it as well.
Labels: Chain Biting, Jaw Strength, Siegmund Breitbart, Strength Feat, The MIghty Atom
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Sunday, July 27, 2008
The Mighty Atom - A Different Kind of Horseshoe BendingMany of the Oldtime Strongmen bent horseshoes but nobody could do it like The Mighty Atom - Yow! The cool thing is, Slim The Hammer Man still has the Mighty Atom's bending post in his Dungeon Gym.
Labels: Feat, Horseshoe Bending, Steel Bending, The MIghty Atom, Unusual Strength
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Friday, May 16, 2008
Slim The Hammer Man's GymA unique look into part of Slim the Hammer Man's "dungeon" gym. Slim has been performing for over 50 years and there's a lot of history on those walls - event posters, pictures of The Mighty Atom, memorabilia, famous strongmen and friends, bent horseshoes and nails, chains, and, of course, his famous sledge hammers.
...That's the Mighty Atom's coat on the chair in the foreground.
Yes, it's even more amazing to see it in real life but if you can't make it to Pottstown, PA, you can still check it out for yourself here.
And, like I said, this is only part of Slim's place.
Labels: Bent Horseshoes, Classic Strongman Gyms, Sledgehammers, Slim The Hammerman, Strongman Memorabilia, The Dungeon, The MIghty Atom
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All Contents, Including Images and Text, Copyright © 2010 by John Wood and Thunderdome Media Inc., Not to be reproduced without permission, All Rights Reserved
Sunday, March 30, 2008
Slim The Hammer ManIn 1975, Slim the Hammer Man got his chance...
With his mentor The Mighty Atom and the crowd of 21,000 screaming fans watching, he went to establish a record that will never be broken: to lever a pair of twenty eight pound hammers, 56 pounds on 31 inch handles, with 1736-inch pounds of pressure on his wrists.
-- The torch had been passed!
Shown above, The Hammer Man levers a weighted Ax, DO NOT try that feat at home.
Labels: Ax Lever, Forearm Strength, Leverage Feat, Sledge Hammer Exercise, Sledge Hammer Training, Sledgehammer, Slim The Hammerman, The MIghty Atom, Wrist Strength
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All Contents, Including Images and Text, Copyright © 2010 by John Wood and Thunderdome Media Inc., Not to be reproduced without permission, All Rights Reserved
Monday, January 14, 2008
The Mighty Atom - Nail BitingThere are several good steel benders in the world right now but here is a feat we are unlikely to see again any time soon: The Might Atom could actually bite through nails. As Bob Hoffman and other members of the York Gang look on, "The Atom" bites a nail in half during one of his appearances at the York fair.
I don't know for sure but I wouldn't be surprised if this ended up being the bitten nail that can seen in the The York Barbell Hall of Fame.
Labels: Bob Hoffman, Feat, Joseph Greenstein, Nail Biting, Oldtime Strongman Feat, The MIghty Atom, York Barbell Hall of Fame
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All Contents, Including Images and Text, Copyright © 2010 by John Wood and Thunderdome Media Inc., Not to be reproduced without permission, All Rights Reserved
Sunday, December 23, 2007
The Mighty Atom"...The Mighty Atom's encouraging doctrine, and his secrets of long life are not vague. Health and happiness do not beckon alone to youth. It is for people of all ages. Too many of us drift in out later years into a sort of fantasy life, dreaming of our lost youth.~ The Mighty Atom: His Philosophy of Health By Vic Boff
Instead of indulging in self pity for our drab and existing life - do something about it. We live not according to reason, but according to mere fashion and tradition.
The Atom's secrets of youth and longevity are as clear as spring water for those with determination, enthusiasm, and will power.
If we are willing to conscientiously exercise our bodies; if we are willing to push ourselves away from the table before we are stuffed; if we are willing to cut out, or cut down our self- indulgences; if we are willing to meditate each day for tranquility and peace of mind - yes, even in a world of nuclear fallout - a longer, healthier, and stronger life can become a reality.
You will then realize what it is to have a magnificent body to add to the completeness of a human career."
Labels: Health, Longetivity, Oldtime Strongman, The MIghty Atom, Vic Boff, Will Power
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Saturday, December 01, 2007
The Mighty Atom: Nail DrivingLike many of the Oldtime Strongmen, Joseph Greenstein aka The Mighty Atom was very adept at the nail driving feat... And like many Oldtime Strongman feats, this one must be accomplished in your mind before it can be accomplished in real life.
Here's the Atom driving a nail through several pieces of sheet metal and a thick wooden board.
Labels: Joseph Greenstein, Nail Driving, Strongman Feat, The MIghty Atom
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Friday, November 16, 2007
The Mighty Atom - Steel ScrollingThough he was only 5'4" and barely 150 pounds, Joseph "The Mighty Atom" Greenstein one of the greatest steel scrolling strongmen whoever lived.
More than anyone, "The Mighty Atom" understood that you must first bend the steel with your mind before you can bend it with your hands...
Go here to find out more about other great steel benders and scrollers.
Labels: Joseph Greenstein, Mind Strength, Steel Bending, Steel Scrolling, Strongman Feat, The MIghty Atom
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All Contents, Including Images and Text, Copyright © 2010 by John Wood and Thunderdome Media Inc., Not to be reproduced without permission, All Rights Reserved
Saturday, November 10, 2007
A Classic Oldtime Strength Feat: Steel ScrollingSteel Scrolling, also called "coiling," is a classic Oldtime Stength Feat that involves bending long steel bars by hand into artistic shapes.
The list of great oldtime steel scrollers is actually quite extensive: Siegmund "Iron King" Breitbart, Alexander "The Amazing Samson" Zass, Indian Strongman Monotosh Roy, and, of course, Joe "The Mighty Atom" Greenstein.
This lost art is still kept alive by several modern strongmen such as Slim The Hammerman, Dennis Rogers and Erik Vining.
Labels: Alexander Zass, Dennis Rogers, Erik Vining, Monotosh Roy, Siegmund Breitbart, Slim The Hammerman, Steel Bending, Steel Coiling, Steel Scrolling, Strongman Feat, The MIghty Atom
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All Contents, Including Images and Text, Copyright © 2010 by John Wood and Thunderdome Media Inc., Not to be reproduced without permission, All Rights Reserved
Sunday, November 04, 2007
Slim "The Hammerman" FarmanIn the year 1975, Slim "The Hammerman" Farman stood alone before the crowd of 21,000 screaming fans at Madison Square Garden.
Just a few moments later he would attempt a world record: to lever a pair of twenty eight pound hammers -- 56 pounds on 31 inch handles, with 1736-inch pounds of pressure on his wrists.
For a second, Slim's mind flashed back to his job for the previous three decades -- swinging a 16 pound sledge hammer for 9 hours a day, breaking tons of stone.
He thought of the day back in 1955 when he met his mentor The Mighty Atom, who taught him how to break chains, and bend steel as well as how to focus all his energy for one intense moment.
Slim Farman took a step toward his hammers, a hush fell over the crowd... to find out what happened next click here.
Labels: Oldtime Strongman, Sledge Hammer Leverage, Slim The Hammerman, Strongman Feat, The MIghty Atom
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All Contents, Including Images and Text, Copyright © 2010 by John Wood and Thunderdome Media Inc., Not to be reproduced without permission, All Rights Reserved
Friday, November 02, 2007
Horseshoes Bent by The Mighty AtomThe Mighty Atom bent these horseshoes and iron bar at the 1962 York, Pennsylvania Interstate Fair. That year marked his 42nd consecutive appearance at that particular fair.
These bent horseshoes are currently on display at the York Barbell Company museum in York, Pennsylvania.
It takes quite a bit of grip and forearm strength to be able to accomplish that strength feat. To see footage of horseshoes being bent by modern Strongman Pat Povilaitis, you'll want to check out 336 Pounds of Fury.
Labels: Bent Horseshoes, Pat Povilaitis, Steel Bending, Strongman Feat, The MIghty Atom, York Barbell, York Barbell Company
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All Contents, Including Images and Text, Copyright © 2010 by John Wood and Thunderdome Media Inc., Not to be reproduced without permission, All Rights Reserved
Monday, October 29, 2007
Joseph Greenstein aka "The Mighty Atom"Joseph Greenstein aka The Mighty Atom twisted horseshoes, drove nails through boards with his bare hand, broke chains, bent iron bars, BIT nails in half, he even held back an airplane with his hair...
Find out more about the Might Atom from his #1 student Slim The Hammer Man
Labels: Bent Horseshoes, Joseph Greenstein, Nail Bending, Nail Driving, Oldtime Strongman, Strongman Feat, The MIghty Atom
www.oldtimestrongman.com
All Contents, Including Images and Text, Copyright © 2010 by John Wood and Thunderdome Media Inc., Not to be reproduced without permission, All Rights Reserved
Wednesday, October 10, 2007
The Mighty Atom's Supreme SoapJoseph Greenstein, a.k.a. The Mighty Atom was one of the greatest of the Oldtime Strongmen. He traveled the country and the world performing feats of strength and selling his natural soaps and liniments.
An original wrapper from the Mighty Atom's "Supreme Soap" is shown above.
Back in the Summer of 1955, at Zern's market in Gilbertsville, PA, The Mighty Atom lectured the crowds on the benefits of clean living and a healthy diet. Most people ignored him but there was one man who listened... and when he heard the Atom was in town he always made sure he could be there to hear him speak.
This man was tall, and never said much until one day when the Mighty Atom berated a youthful crowd for their laziness and unclean living habits. As the Atom spoke, a serious voice came out of the crowd...
"you ain't talkin' about me" said a tall, wirey young man in the back who did not smile... continued...
Labels: Joseph Greenstein, Oldtime Strongman, The MIghty Atom
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Wednesday, June 20, 2007
 The Mighty Atom | His real name was Joseph Greenstein but he was better known as "The Mighty Atom" -- and he became one of the most well known "Strongmen" of all time despite the fact that he stood only 5 feet 5 inches tall and weighed in at 140 pounds. As a young boy in Poland young Joseph Greenstein was befreinded by a Russian Strongman named "Champion Volanko" who taught him the Secrets of Strength. The Mighty Atom could bend horseshoes, break chains by expanding his chest, bite nails in two, hold back airplanes and even once stopped a bullet... |
Labels: Bent Horseshoes, Chain Breaking, Champion Volanko, Joseph Greenstein, Polish Strongman, Slim The Hammerman, The MIghty Atom
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All Contents, Including Images and Text, Copyright © 2010 by John Wood and Thunderdome Media Inc., Not to be reproduced without permission, All Rights Reserved
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