Bike Jockstrap Large White/Grey Adult Supporter

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Wikipedia articles incorporating a citation from the 1911 Encyclopaedia Britannica with Wikisource reference

A January 1936 ad for Bike supporters in the Athletic Journal claimed that “In 1935 2 out of 3 Wore BIKE.” Bike-Web Manufacturing Company, Chicago. In 1947 Life magazine ran a series of ads for "V-front" supporters, a brand endorsed by the NY Yankees. Similar ads also appeared in Boys' Life magazine.Sports Illustrated runs an article in 1989 on the 50th anniversary of the Cooperstown Baseball Museum, and includes an image of a metal cup, which it claims was “the first known protective cup,” worn by Claude Berry in 1915. A January 1945 ad depicts two men, the younger one in uniform, shaking hands. Text reads, “. . . So Thanks, Coach, for My Promotion” and continues, “And Bike Web, Coach, knows how you’re still carrying on with the leaders-to-be, youngsters who are coming up to take on their own responsibilities. And now, as in the past, we pledge Bike garments will supply the dependable, lasting support you rely on for your athletes. Bike will supply, as always, the best possible protective garments to help you in your work.” The Bike Web Company, Chicago. A March 1898 issue of The Pharmaceutical Era carried an ad and an article about Rawson’s Saratoga Suspensory, and mentions that the S. E. G. Rawson Co. was established in 1858.

The 1920 Kelley-How-Thomson Company of Duluth catalog carried four kinds of Athletic Supporters, including one “Made on the Pfister Model.” The 1922 and 1927 Hibbard, Spencer, Bartlett & Co. catalogs carried Athletic Supports and Suspensories. Boys' Life magazine carried ads for athletic supporters from 1928 until 1983, though interrupted by the Depression and WWII. In October 1933 the Bike Web Manufacturing Co. (Chicago and New York) ran an ad headlined “BIKE; made as clean and sanitary as a surgical dressing . . . BIKE – For More Than 60 Years The Coaches’ Favorite Supporter.”Spalding’s 1896 Base Ball Guide carried ads for Spalding’s Improved Morton Supporter, six styles of Spalding Suspensory, and three styles of Old Point Comfort Suspensory. In the 60’s when pornography laws were relaxed and overt nudity became legal to publish, physique magazines went out of vogue, and it wasn’t until the resurgence of gym culture in the 80’s and 90’s that bodybuilding and physique magazines regained their popularity. A heavy duty cup was invented around 1930 by a Bronx opera fan named "Foulproof" Taylor; it was sold and used by boxers throughout the 1930s. A 1907 catalog from A. M. Holter Hardware Co. listed ads for Morton Supporters, and an Abdominal Guard and Supporter of molded leather, lined with lamb’s wool.

Around 1947 the John B. Flaherty Co. made the “Bub” Duribilknit No. 78 “Freshly Knitted Athletic Supporter” with wide abdominal band and removable pouch attached with 4 metal snaps. An example of this supporter is in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Costume Institute, New York. A 1941 magazine ad shows a smiling teenaged boy’s face above Bike Nos. 5 and 55 supporters. Text reads, “He looks to you…and he’s your responsibility; Supporter WILT is Dangerous! BIKE quality assures dependable, lasting support.” Bike Web Manufacturing Company, Chicago. The 1895 Montgomery Ward & Co. Catalogue No. 57 sold the Morton’s Perfect Supporter, “Used by ball players, athletes and the theatrical profession generally; made of best quality Canton flannel, laced front” for 35 cents. In 1905 the Bike logo, a bicycle wheel with the words, “The Bike” was trademarked. It had first been used in 1896. The 1920s also saw the marketing of the “Selzwel Elastic Athletic Supporter: Made of Finest Elastic Material to Conform to Your Person” by Selzwel Products Co., NY, NY. (AllKink)

In March 1908 Reuben H. Huddleston filed a patent application for a “Supporter and Protector.” It was granted on November 10, 1908. It stayed this way until AIDS hit. As early as 1983, just a few years after the AIDS crisis was first reported, there had been 3,064 reported cases of AIDS — and 71 percent of them were gay or bisexual men. In 1948 The Bike Web Co. of Chicago, IL placed an ad in the Boy Scouts of America Handbook: “Your Athletics Merit Badge - Want to qualify in the five athletic events? Then play safe by wearing an athletic supporter. Leading coaches, athletes and trainers say every boy who engages in a sport should wear a supporter. It protects delicate, sensitive parts by holding them snugly against the body. And by supporting them, it protects you from strain. For Safety in any Sport wear a BIKE SUPPORTER; More athletes have worn Bike Supporters than any other brand! Because for years Bike has worked closely with coaches, trainers and athletes to make Bike Supporters the best for protection, comfort and long wear. See your sporting goods store and choose the right supporter for your needs from the line of famous Bike Supporters. BIKE “STRAP” SUPPORTER – A 3” waistband all-elastic supporter that give extra-firm support, is sturdy, long-lasting, comfortable.” AllKink A 1948 ad reads, “EXTRA Protection EXTRA Comfort EXTRA Value . . . Guaranteed to outlast and outlaunder 3 ordinary supporters. Write for free sample on your school letterhead.” John B. Flaherty Co., NY. A 1930 ad by the Bike Web Manufacturing Co. has a photo of the Bike “Strap” supporter at the top, by text reading, “Bike has GROWN UP with American sport.” Division of the Kendall Co. of Chicago.