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Introduction
To
understand the nature and meaning of Web Based Communities, we reviewed the
history of computer facilitated communication and its evolution into
multifaceted communities. In the review of related literature, we addressed
the characteristics, definition and purpose of web based communities. The
purpose of this approach was to yield a better understanding of the social
and functional dynamics of web based communities and a systematic approach
to their successful implementation.
Following
this logic, a study which attempts to address the efficacy of Online
Communities in addressing the interest of the Natural Bodybuilding community
would be incomplete if it failed to consider both the history of the topic
and the mechanics which have caused Natural Bodybuilding to become a
community unto itself. Therefore, before we can properly understand and
analyze the data from the above chapter, a brief review of the history of
bodybuilding and the process by which the Enhanced community became dominant
is called for.
The
History of Bodybuilding
Perhaps
the earliest exhibition of human musculature for esthetic purposes dates
back to the ancient Greeks who believed that the human body could reflect
the beauty of the gods. This belief was evidenced in Greek statuary in which
the perfection of the gods was represented through their ideal physical
proportions. The ideal of physical esthetics was artistically maintained
through sculptor and paintings of the Renaissance in a style known as Greek
Revivalism.
Eugen
Sandow
While the
above represents that artistic expressions of physical estheticism, the
tangible expression which has become the sport of competitive bodybuilding
owes its origins to Eugen Sandow (1867- 1925). Sandow first gained notoriety
after winning the “Worlds Strongest Man” competition in England in 1889.
Capitalizing
on his new fame, Sandow toured various parts of the globe performing acts of
strength which included bending steel rods, lifting heavy weights and
wrestling a lion. Sandow latter introduced an element to his performances in
which he would enter a glass booth and perform a series of muscular poses
which were choreographed to music. After observing one of Sandow’s
performances in the glass booth, prominent promoter of the time, Florenz
Ziegfeld, was so impressed that he signed Sandow to perform for 10 weeks at
the Chicago Worlds Fair of 1893 followed by a four year contract. In return
for his investment, Ziegfeld netted a quarter of a million dollars from
Sandow’s appearances throughout the world.
Due to the
popularity of Sandow’s performance in the glass booth, Ziegfeld changed his
promotion strategy from “The Worlds Strongest Man”, to “The Most Perfectly
Developed Man in the World” (Daily Telegraph (Sydney), 6 October 1902).
Mimicking early Greek art, one point in Sandow’s performance included
Sandow’s naked physique, concealed only by an imitation fig leaf, dusted
with white powder looking every bit a living Greek statue. As Sandow’s
celebrity grew, he expanded his influence into publishing as he launched his
magazine “Physical Culture” (latter known as “Sandow’s Physical Culture”) in
1898. Largely due to the success of his magazine, as well as subsequent
books on physical culture and ultimately a book titled “Body Buliding, Man
in the Making” (Gale & Polden, London, 1904), rival magazines began to
appear. By the time of his death in 1925, Sandow had pioneered much of what
has become modern bodybuilding including the dynamics which have made it a
profitable enterprise.
In 1901, after
three years of planning, Sandow held a competitive physique event which was
billed as “The Great Competition”. Preparation for “The Great Competition”
began in July of 1898 as the first issue of Sandow’s magazine announced a
contest that would be open to all Sandow students in the United Kingdom. The
purpose of this event was to promote the spread of physical culture and to
“afford encouragement to those who are anxious to perfect their physiques”.
The prize was a tempting 1,000 guineas (over $5,000 at the time). In
addition to the cash prize, the man judged to have the most perfectly
developed physique would be awarded a gold statuette of Sandow himself.
In
preparation for the event, Sandow organized a series of local bodybuilding
competitions, the winners of which became eligible to compete in The Great
Competition. Due to the subjective nature of esthetic critique, Sandow
developed a system of judging which considered general development, equality
or balance of development, the condition and tone of the tissues, the
general health, and finally, the condition of the skin. The day of “The
Great Competition”, Saturday, September 14, 1901, had been publicized in
notices which appeared throughout London. A large building which had been
constructed as a memorial to Queen Victoria’s late husband was chosen for
the contest site. In spite of the size of the venue, the building was not
able to contain the crowds which had flocked to witness this spectacle.
Though the seating capacity of this enormous hall was 15,000, hundreds of
eager spectators had to be turned away at the door.
As the show
began promptly at 8:00pm, Sandow treated the crowd to a masterfully
orchestrated series of music and athletic events. From gymnastics to
wrestling and sheer acts of strength, Sandow wanted to ensure that no one
would be disappointed. Finally, the band played a composition by Sandow
himself titled “March of the Athletes”, during which 60 well developed men
took the stage. Regional dignitaries had been selected to act as judges for
the event, among which was Sir Author Conan Doyle, the creator of Sherlock
Holmes. After carefully inspecting the ranks of well muscled contenders, 12
finalists were chosen, the champion of which would not be chosen until after
an intermission and a performance by Sandow for which he was rewarded a 5
minute ovation.
With the final
judging, each of the remaining 12 men stood on a pedestal while performing a
series of compulsory poses specifically designed to display the various
muscle groups. It was said that Sandow “fairly went on his hands and knees
to examine the neither limbs of men” (Sandow Museum.com). After several
anxious minuets, three winners were selected. Bronze and silver medals were
awarded to the third and second place winners and finally, as the band
played “See the Conquering Hero”, William L. Murray was award the golden
Sandow statue as the best developed man in Great Britain and Ireland. All
proceeds from the event were donated to the “Mansion House Transvaal War
Relief Fund” (Sandow Musium.com), and the sport of bodybuilding had been
born. |
