1903 Milo Bar-Bell Ad

Posted on Sunday, September 30th, 2018 by John Wood

How about this very early Milo Bar Bell Company Advertisement? This ad dates to 1903. Note that the dumbbell pictured was very different from later Milo Bar-Bell equipment. These early dumbbells were essentially two canisters attached by a handle. One could add/adjust weight by either barbell plates or shot — or both. Progression — in whatever form you can manage — is always the name of the game in physical training, hence Calvert provided several options. Only one of these dumbbells is currently known to exist and it is housed at the Stark Center in Austin, Texas. Also note that at the time, the address of the Milo Bar-Bell company was in the Mariner Building.