Charles Atlas (1893–1972) became the first nationally recognized American bodybuilder. Born Angelo Siciliano in Italy in 1893, Atlas moved to the United States as a skinny youth. He developed dramatic, shapely muscles using his own system of isometric exercises that pitted muscles against each other to build strength. Atlas was dubbed the "World's Most Perfectly Developed Man" in 1921.

Atlas became a national celebrity selling his "Dynamic Tension Bodybuilding Course" through the mail. His most famous ad was a cartoon showing a "ninety-seven-pound weakling" who, after being bullied at the beach, uses the Atlas system to become a model of muscular manhood. Atlas died in 1972, but the Charles Atlas Ltd. company still sells his exercise program.

For More Information

Charles Atlas: The World's Most Perfectly Developed Man. http://www.charlesatlas.com (accessed on January 17, 2001).

Hugo, Geraldine, producer. Charles Atlas: Modern Day Hercules (video). A&E Biography Series, 1999.