Here's some vintage jockstrap advertising from Bike, Litesome, Bauer & Black and more. Feel free to share your own if you have any:
That is a good question, and one that would probably need a sociologist to answer properly. However, I'll make an educated guess. While you are correct about us always being around (see the history of Physique Pictorial, for instance), I think that at the turn of the last century homosexuality was so little on the radar that most of the people who did advertising weren't thinking about it. I suspect that what we find homoerotic now, was at the time, unintentional. I find it all the more charming for that reason. While there is always the possibility of subconscious motivation, or even deliberate subterfuge, I think mostly it was accidental. But perhaps some of you guys out there have stories that may shed light on this. I"d love to hear what you think.Do you think the homosexual community immediately latched onto these, or that advertising subversively marketed them that way? Considering the time it would have definitely been risky, but we’ve (gay guys or guys who like the way other guys looks in straps) have always been around.
LOL I had not noticed the slide rule. That is really funny! When I was in high school, my Dad taught me how to use a slide rule.OMG, the jockstrap ad is on the same page as an ad for a slide rule.
I like the David and Goliath ad. I saw it in the gym when I was in the military. I searched a long time to find it again, but could not. Thanks for posting it! I think I saw one other illustrated "hero" ad for BIKE. I cannot remember what it was.Dear John - Like you, I love vintage jockstrap ads. I was first introduced to Bike jocks in the 1960s, though I have expanded my collection considerably. I have also tried to do some serious research on the beginnings, and believe I have found the invention of a jockstrap a decade before the legendary invention of Charles Bennett in 1874. I include some photos of my favorite Bike ads, once from 1899, and the rest from the 1960s. The David and Goliath ad was one I saw when I was in high school. It haunted me for decades, until I finally found it again in a 1969 copy of Scholastic Coach.
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Do you think the homosexual community immediately latched onto these, or that advertising subversively marketed them that way? Considering the time it would have definitely been risky, but we’ve (gay guys or guys who like the way other guys looks in straps) have always been around.
Don't knock it if you haven't tried it! Some of my hottest «experiences» happened that way.I do not feel comfortable with the notion of running blindfolded in a jungle with just a jockstrap. I mean, they're good, but not THAT good.
This is fascinating and somewhat humorous as we'll as insightful. First, notice how much TEXT there is in these ads--LOTS of words to convince you that this is the jock you want. Notice, too, that they are very discreet about using the term "supporter." Then they have funny statements like "2 out of 3 specify BIKE". Just who is that third athlete, I wonder. Also, they unwittingly make a bit of a fool f themselves by the ad that starts with a sentence about a man whose workweek is 5 days at a desk... and then does he DARE go out and play golf without a jockstrap? Of all the sports that do NOT require a jock, golf is the top one. Hard to imagine a guy sporting a jock under the rather sophisticated pants of a golfer back in the day. Plus, how much protection does your sac need if you're GOLFING, for cryin' out loud?Here's some vintage jockstrap advertising from Bike, Litesome, Bauer & Black and more. Feel free to share your own if you have any:
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I love love LOVE that goofy drawing of the David and Goliath confrontation by a guy who only got mediocre grades in art school, apparently.Dear John - Like you, I love vintage jockstrap ads. I was first introduced to Bike jocks in the 1960s, though I have expanded my collection considerably. I have also tried to do some serious research on the beginnings, and believe I have found the invention of a jockstrap a decade before the legendary invention of Charles Bennett in 1874. I include some photos of my favorite Bike ads, once from 1899, and the rest from the 1960s. The David and Goliath ad was one I saw when I was in high school. It haunted me for decades, until I finally found it again in a 1969 copy of Scholastic Coach.
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This would be better if we could see the POUCH of the basketball player's jock. Also, note that there's a slide rule ad here. Remember slide rules? I never learned to use one....If you like shorts, how about this Bike ad from the April 1965 issue of Boys' Life:
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Oh, I see that other guys already pointed out the slide rule. At my school in the early 70's some of the nerdier guys had slide rule HOLDER: 12 inch faux-leather containers in which you slid your rule so you didn't lose it. With every other step, the natural movement would cause the holder to slap against your thigh.This would be better if we could see the POUCH of the basketball player's jock. Also, note that there's a slide rule ad here. Remember slide rules? I never learned to use one....