1934 Archives - www.oldtimestrongman.com

Strength and Health Magazine, March, 1934

Posted on Wednesday, November 22nd, 2017 by John Wood

The great weightlifter Art Levan on the cover of the March, 1934 issue of Strength and Health Magazine. This is one heck of an issue: Check out the lineup of strength authors: George Jowett, Earle E. Liederman, Harry Good, Bob Hoffman and Professor Paulinetti (among others.)

Extreme Neck Strength III

Posted on Tuesday, April 18th, 2017 by John Wood

Here’s another one for the “don’t try this at home” file” Strongman Saxon Brown lets a motorcycle and rider drive across his throat! This was in 1934 when Saxon was trying to drum up a little interest for his Winter Tour. Does this qualify as a feat of strength? I don’t know, but I’d definitely want to see his show so it had the intended result.

Edward Aston

Posted on Monday, January 23rd, 2017 by John Wood

From 1911 to 1934, Edward Aston held the title of ‘Britain’s Strongest Man’ and judging by this picture, it’s not hard to see why. One of Aston’s “Secrets” was to pay particular attention to strengthening the grip and forearm. He employed a number of different exercises to build his hand strength but one of his favorites was to do one-arm timed hangs from a climbing rope.

Early York Barbell Co. Advertisement – “We Build Mighty Men”

Posted on Thursday, September 17th, 2015 by John Wood

Here’s an ad for the York Barbell Company from 1934 making it a very early one. Notice Bob Hoffman — with hair! — and the famous picture of Wally Zagursky and Tony Terlazzo getting in a quick workout with York equipment in BoHo’s backyard on Lightner’s Hill in north York.

MILO Chocolate Energy Drink

Posted on Thursday, September 25th, 2014 by John Wood

Here’s a phone card (remember those?) from Japan which advertises a chocolate flavored energy drink called “MILO.” This drink was originally developed in Australia in 1934 by Thomas Mayne and named for the famous strength athlete of antiquity Milo of Crotona. The iconic green labeled tin usually features sporting activities. Made by Nestle, MILO is popular in Asia and other countries but not available in the US… not sure why though, it would probably do pretty well.

Young Bill Good and The Good Dumbbell

Posted on Tuesday, March 25th, 2014 by John Wood

A look at the great American weightlifter Bill Good in the midst of harness lifting the equally famous Good Dumbbell. circa 1934. Good, a Reamstown, Pennsylvania, native was a seven-time National weightlifting Champion (1930-1935, 1937) and competed in the 1932 and 1936 Olympic Games. Good liked to celebrate his birthday each year by harness lifting the 2150 lb. Good Dumbbell for as many repetitions as the number of years of his age, a feat he kept up until he was 90.