1969 Archives - www.oldtimestrongman.com

York Lifting Shoes

Posted on Wednesday, February 17th, 2021 by John Wood

In the late 1960’s, the York Barbell Company became the first company to come out with a special shoe designed specifically for weight lifting. No longer would lifters have to sport their wingtips or work books when going for a personal record. Here’s a look at a pair AND the box. These shoes had a slightly raised heel and sturdy laces which provided extra stability in the low position — and they looked pretty sharp too. This particular pair is a size 8-1/2.

A pair of these would set you back $14.95 in 1969 which, adjusted for inflation, is a little over $100 in today’s money. (And no, we DO NOT have them for sale.)

Denny Dase

Posted on Saturday, March 9th, 2019 by John Wood

Denny Dase was one of the greatest football players to ever come out of Cincinnati, Ohio where he was an All-State and All American center at Central High School. Dase went to the University of Arizona with high hopes but his playing career ended when he slipped in the shower and suffered a head injury.
Dase moved back to Cincinnati and opened a bar just off the University of Cincinnati campus. “Denny Dase’s Drinking Place” was known for three things: 25 cent Hudepohl beers, weight lifting, and arm wrestling. Dase’s injury left him with a slight limp and a withered left arm, but he trained his right arm to a legendary level of strength and power. Dase became an arm wrestling champion many times over. Above, Dase (6’1″ and 335 lbs, on the right) takes on Boston’s Frank Martorana on the main stage at the 1969 World Armwrestling Championships in Petaluma, California.

Ellington Darden

Posted on Monday, November 13th, 2017 by John Wood

Before authoring over 50 books on strength training and meeting Arthur Jones, Ellington Darden was a very successful bodybuilder in the 60’s and 70’s. Interestingly enough, Ellington Darden won the 1969 Mr. Texas Bodybuilding contest, the same contest where a 17 year old Casey Viator finished 4th. This shot was taken a few days after Ellington Darden won the 1972 AAU Collegiate Mr. America Contest.

Mr. America ’68, Jim Haislop

Posted on Wednesday, February 8th, 2017 by John Wood

Jim Haislop, the popular bodybuilder from Tampa, Florida, shows the foundation of his development: squats. Haislop had quite a career, winning Mr. Florida in 1965, Mr. North America in 1966, Mr. Northern States and Mr. USA in 1967, Mr. America and Junior Mr. America in 1968 and took first in his class at the 1969 NABBA Mr. Universe contest.