The most famous physique champion 100 years ago, indeed perhaps the first modern bodybuilder was Eugen Sandow. Born Friederich Wilhelm Mueller on April 2, 1867. He began his career as a sideshow "strongman." Early in life, and with the help of showman Florenz Ziegfeld, Sandow decided it wasn't enough to simply demonstrate his strength, but to actually display his muscular physique as though it were a work of art. He soon made his "Muscle Displays" the main feature of a Vaudeville stage show and at the Chicago World's Fair. Sandow eventually built a series of gyms across Europe, America, and other points around the world. He developed a successful mail order business. He wrote several popular books on bodybuilding and health. He was one of the first to advocate free-school lunches for children, pre-natal care for women, and donated generously to charity and to the London Olympics. Friend of Thomas Edison, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, and the King of England, Sandow was a legend in his own time. The Mr. Olympia contest uses a statue of Sandow as its trophy.
The most famous physique champion 100 years ago, indeed perhaps the first modern bodybuilder was Eugen Sandow. Born Friederich Wilhelm Mueller on April 2, 1867. He began his career as a sideshow "strongman." Early in life, and with the help of showman Florenz Ziegfeld, Sandow decided it wasn't enough to simply demonstrate his strength, but to actually display his muscular physique as though it were a work of art. He soon made his "Muscle Displays" the main feature of a Vaudeville stage show and at the Chicago World's Fair. Sandow eventually built a series of gyms across Europe, America, and other points around the world. He developed a successful mail order business. He wrote several popular books on bodybuilding and health. He was one of the first to advocate free-school lunches for children, pre-natal care for women, and donated generously to charity and to the London Olympics. Friend of Thomas Edison, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, and the King of England, Sandow was a legend in his own time. The Mr. Olympia contest uses a statue of Sandow as its trophy.
Bio by: Christian
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