Where It All Started
In the 1910's, Eugen Sandow became known as the first modern bodybuilder or even as the first pioneer of Body Building. this man is credited with the idea of dietary control to enhance muscle growth. Later, bodybuilder Earle Liederman advocated the use of beef juice as a way to enhance muscle recovery. In 1950s with recreational and competitive bodybuilding becoming increasingly popular Irvin P. Johnson began to popularize and market egg-based protein powders marketed specifically at bodybuilders and physical athletes. The 1970s and 1980s marked a dramatic increase in the growth of the bodybuilding supplement industry, fueled by widespread use of modern marketing techniques and a marked increase in recreational bodybuilding. Athletes like Arnold Schwarzenegger brought a new found spotlight to the body building world and made it a increasingly popular sport. Restrictions on events like the Mr. America competition fueled a fire in athletes to compete. However the winning athlete would only be able to compete once, becasue the rules were once you win you basically have to retire. This gave way to events like Mr. Universe, the first event where professional level lifters could compete as often as they wanted, resulting in the creation of the career Body Builder.