![Atop Empire State- in construction; Chrysler Bldg & [Daily] News in middle foreground. (1931)](http://cdn1.retronaut.co/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/Atop-Empire-State-in-construction-Chrysler-Bldg-Daily-News-in-middle-foreground.-1931--199x123.jpg "Balancing on the Empire State, 1920s")
Vintage Exercise Machines
If you like this, check out:
Evolution of the Crayola colour chart, 1903-2010
Victorians Smiling
Aged Superheroes
1900AD
Ikea Stonehenge
"Hitler's Stealth Bomber"
Olympic Torches, 1936-2010
The Cafe From Hell
Radiana, 1925
Construction of the Titanic
Vintage Car Wrecks
Pre-Communist Russia Postcards
'What May Happen in the Next Hundred Years' c.1900
Colour photographs of New York, 1960, by Charles Cushman
Miniature Murder Scenes, 1930s
Husband tests bullet proof glass with wife, 1930s
Postcards of the year 2000 c.1900
Streets of New York, 1950s, by Vivian Maier
Accessories for Open Driving, 1907
New York, 1940s, by Stanley Kubrick
'The Kiss', by Thomas Edison, 1900
I wish I had some clue about what these are supposed to actually do for you! One looks like a foot massager. Maybe some are for ab strength?
I love how everyone used to work out in their Sunday best!
Clearly the forerunner to modern day pilates.
But then there’s that gal in the petticoat with the strap that’s slipped down a bit, and it looks like she might be riding on a saddle of some sort. I do believe she’s taking care of some woman’s “hygiene” issue.
This machines were made by Gustav Zander.
I have more interesting pics in my blog here:
http://rehabilitacionymedicinafisica.blogspot.com/2009/06/historia-y-futuro-de-la-rehabilitacion.html
Look also for Oplonomicon. This is a 5 hundred years old orthosis in a steam punk look.
The ‘gal in the petticoat’ is riding sidesaddle on a sort of artificial horse. It is suspended on stiff springs and the idea is to bob up and down on it to simulate real horse riding. They are still sold in a fancier electrical version and although I have ridden horses neither real or artificial I imagine it’s pretty good exercise. Come to think of it it’s probably the only one there that would do any real good.
I can’t think why she’s in her underwear; could it be a be a ‘cheesecake’ pic?
they were “the latest” back then.
the third picture is hillarious. wonder what he’s working on
A belated birthday present. Thanks.
Can anyone suggest an exercise equipment provider that sells items such as treadmills, elliptical etc that have either a retro look or an interesting designer look yet still function well. I am also interested in the same answer relative to more basis equipment …..free weights, benches, etc…..
Some of these look more like torture devices.