Archives Center, National Museum of American History
Charles Atlas Records
Atlas, Charles, 1893-1972
NMAH.AC.0654
Archival Resource Key
3 Cubic feet
9 boxes, 1 map folder
circa 1909-1998
Collection consists primarily of educational, promotional and publicity materials created by Charles Atlas and others for his bodybuilding business.
English
.
Arrangement
The collection is divided into four series.
Series 1, Educational Materials, circa 1920s-1998, undated
Series 2, Publicity Materials, 1936-1998, undated
Series 3, Promotional Materials, 1936-1998, undated
Series 4, Photographs, circa 1909-1998, undated
Scope and Contents
This collection consists primarily of educational, promotional and publicity materials created by Charles Atlas and others for his bodybuilding business. There is some information about Atlas's personal life including a biography, newspaper clippings and photographs of him throughout his life and of his family. The materials are useful in understanding health, physical culture, body training and self-esteem issues for males in American society during the first half of the twentieth century.
Preferred Citation
Charles Atlas Records, Archives Center, National Museum of American History
Conditions Governing Use
Collection items available for reproduction, but the Archives Center makes no guarantees concerning copyright restrictions. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.
Biographical / Historical
Charles Atlas was born Angelo Siciliano in 1893 in Italy and immigrated to New York as a young boy with his family. After failing to build up his body using weight-training equipment, he stumbled upon the concept of resistance exercise – pitting one muscle against another to build strength – during a visit to the Prospect Park Zoo in Brooklyn, and soon turned himself into a muscular beauty. He got his start in physical culture demonstrating exercise equipment and working as a circus strongman, ripping telephone books in half and performing other feats of strength. He later found work as an artists' model, becoming one of the most sought after models in the country, and was chosen as "The World's Most Perfectly Developed Man" in 1922 by Physical Culture magazine.
For the next several years, Atlas tried to capitalize on his title by composing a multi-lesson, mail-order bodybuilding course that emphasized both exercise and clean living, physically and mentally. However, he turned out to be a poor businessperson and did not find much success. It was not until Atlas met advertising man Charles P. Roman in 1928, who named the system "Dynamic-Tension" and came up with the "97-pound weakling" marketing concept for which Atlas remains famous, that the correspondence course began to take off. With Roman as his business partner, Atlas became a ubiquitous presence on the backs of comic books and in the minds of scrawny boys everywhere, promising strength and manliness to all who successfully completed his program. The pair sold the course to millions of students worldwide, many of whom wrote Atlas to thank him for changing their lives. They sold several other products, including vitamins and a ten-volume encyclopedia called the Sexual Education Series. Roman bought out Atlas's half of the business in 1970 and sold Charles Atlas, Ltd., to Jeffrey C. Hogue in 1997. The company continues to operate, selling the Dynamic-Tension course, licensed apparel and other items, and nutritional supplements.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Charles Atlas, Ltd. president Jeffrey C. Hogue donated the collection to the National Museum of American History, Archives Center on April 23, 1998.
Processing Information
Collection processed by Erin Podolsky, 2005.
Conditions Governing Access
Collection is open for research.
Bodybuilding
Business records -- 20th century
Masculinity
Photographs -- Black-and-white photoprints -- Silver gelatin -- 19th-20th century
Educational Materials
Series 1
Archival Resource Key
circa 1920s-1998, undated
Scope and Contents
Series 1, Educational Materials, circa 1920s-1998, undated, consists of course materials sent to Charles Atlas students, including complete course booklets and week-by-week lessons. Versions of individual lessons and complete courses sent to students range from sparsely annotated, typewritten originals to published versions that remained relatively unchanged over the years. There is a paperback version of the ten-volume Sexual Education Series encyclopedia published by Charles Atlas, Ltd., in 1928.
Dynamic-Tension course
Archival Resource Key
1940
1
1
Dynamic-Tension course
Archival Resource Key
circa 1969
1
2
Dynamic-Tension course
Archival Resource Key
circa 1996
1
3
Dynamic-Tension course Spanish
Archival Resource Key
undated
1
4
Lesson one
Archival Resource Key
circa 1920s
1
5
Lesson one copy
Archival Resource Key
circa 1920s
1
6
Lesson one Eyes
Archival Resource Key
circa 1920s
1
7
Lesson one Eyes
Archival Resource Key
copy, 1920s
1
8
Lesson one Face
Archival Resource Key
1920s
1
9
Lesson one Face copy
Archival Resource Key
1920s
1
10
Lesson one Hair and Scalp
Archival Resource Key
1920s
1
11
Lesson one Hair and Scalp copy
Archival Resource Key
1920s
1
12
Lesson one
Archival Resource Key
pre-1940
1
13
Lesson one
Archival Resource Key
post-1940
1
14
Lesson one-three Dynamic-Tension pictorial examples
Archival Resource Key
undated
1
15
Lesson two addition
Archival Resource Key
1945
1
16
Lesson four
Archival Resource Key
circa 1920s
1
17
Lesson four copy
Archival Resource Key
circa 1920s
1
18
Lesson four Dynamic-Tension pictorial examples
Archival Resource Key
undated
1
19
Lesson five Dynamic-Tension pictorial examples
Archival Resource Key
undated
1
20
Lesson six
Archival Resource Key
circa 1920s
1
21
Lesson six
Archival Resource Key
circa 1920s
1
22
Lesson six copy
Archival Resource Key
circa 1920s
1
23
Lesson six copy
Archival Resource Key
circa 1920s
1
24
Lesson six Dynamic-Tension pictorial examples
Archival Resource Key
undated
1
25
Lesson seven
Archival Resource Key
circa 1920s
2
1
Lesson seven copy
Archival Resource Key
circa 1920s
2
2
Lesson eight Lower Leg
Archival Resource Key
circa 1920s
2
3
Lesson eight Shoulders
Archival Resource Key
circa 1920s
2
4
Lesson eight copy
Archival Resource Key
circa 1920s
2
5
Lesson eight copy
Archival Resource Key
circa 1920s
2
6
Lesson eight Dynamic-Tension pictorial examples
Archival Resource Key
undated
2
7
Lesson nine
Archival Resource Key
circa 1920s
2
8
Lesson nine copy
Archival Resource Key
circa 1920s
2
9
Lesson nine Dynamic-Tension pictorial examples
Archival Resource Key
undated
2
10
Lesson ten Dynamic-Tension pictorial examples
Archival Resource Key
undated
2
11
Lesson eleven Wrists and Fingers
Archival Resource Key
circa 1920s
2
12
Lesson eleven Wrists and Fingers copy
Archival Resource Key
circa 1920s
2
13
Lesson eleven Dynamic-Tension pictorial examples
Archival Resource Key
undated
2
14
Lesson twelve Dynamic-Tension Methods for Acquiring Physical Magnetism of Special Importance
Archival Resource Key
undated
2
14
Lesson 15
Archival Resource Key
circa 1920s
2
15
Lesson 15 copy
Archival Resource Key
circa 1920s
2
16
"How to Develop a Big Powerful Chest" Fragments of Lesson
Archival Resource Key
2
17
"How to Gain Weight"
Archival Resource Key
2
18
Publicity Materials
Series 2
Archival Resource Key
1936-1995; undated
Scope and Contents
Series 2, Publicity Materials, 1936-1995, undated, consists of information about Charles Atlas and Charles Atlas, Ltd. Newspaper clippings are arranged in chronological order, while magazines are arranged in alphabetical order. There is also one folder of popular culture references to Atlas.
Adventure
Archival Resource Key
1954 August
2
19
Action-Packed Western
Archival Resource Key
1955 May
2
20
National Enquirer
Archival Resource Key
1969 October 19
2
21
New Yorker The.
Archival Resource Key
1942 January 3
2
22
Newsweek
Archival Resource Key
1962 February 12
2
23
Newsweek
Archival Resource Key
1966 March 14
2
24
Official Detective Stories
Archival Resource Key
1975 July
2
25
Reader's Digest
Archival Resource Key
1958 September
2
26
Real
Archival Resource Key
1963 October
2
27
Sports Afield
Archival Resource Key
1976 March
2
28
Sports Illustrated
Archival Resource Key
1959 August 3
3
1
Sports Illustrated
Archival Resource Key
1968 November 25
3
2
Sports Illustrated
Archival Resource Key
1979 June 11
3
3
Time
Archival Resource Key
1964 February 14
3
4
True
Archival Resource Key
1975 February
3
5
Winged Foot The
Archival Resource Key
1962 November
3
6
Popular Culture References
Archival Resource Key
3
7
Newspaper clippings
Archival Resource Key
1936 January
3
8
Newspaper clippings
Archival Resource Key
1936 October
3
9
Newspaper clippings
Archival Resource Key
1938 April–July
3
10-13
Newspaper clippings
Archival Resource Key
1938 September–October
3
14-15
Newspaper clippings
Archival Resource Key
1939 January–September
3
16-24
Newspaper clippings
Archival Resource Key
1940 April
4
1
Newspaper clippings
Archival Resource Key
1945 October–November
4
2-3
Newspaper clippings
Archival Resource Key
1946 April
4
4
Newspaper clippings
Archival Resource Key
1956 July
4
5
Newspaper clippings
Archival Resource Key
1964 October
4
6
Newspaper clippings
Archival Resource Key
1966 November
4
7
Newspaper clippings
Archival Resource Key
1997 September
4
8
Newspaper clippings
Archival Resource Key
undated
4
9
Promotional Materials
Series 3
Archival Resource Key
1936-1998; undated
Scope and Contents
Series 3, Promotional Materials, 1936-1998, undated, consists of materials produced by Charles Atlas, Ltd., and others that ultimately promoted the company and its products. It contains periodicals (including magazines and comic books) which include Atlas advertisements, mailings sent to Atlas students touting the Super Avityl vitamin, documents used by the company to request payment of delinquent bills, and other marketing materials. Materials labeled "non-Atlas" were not produced by or about Charles Atlas, Ltd., but remain of contextual interest. There is also a biography of Atlas based on the recollections of Charles Roman.
Yours in Perfect Manhood Charles Atlas biography
Archival Resource Key
4
10
Image of Charles Atlas grave
Archival Resource Key
4
11
Advertisements for comic books
Archival Resource Key
4
12
Advertisements for comic books in Spanish language
Archival Resource Key
4
13
Advertisements for Boys' Life
Archival Resource Key
1992 November and 1992 December
4
14
Advertisements for Boys' Life
Archival Resource Key
1998 April
4
15
Advertisements for Mechanix Illustrated
Archival Resource Key
1971 December
4
16
Advertisements for Physical Culture 1940 May
Archival Resource Key
4
17
Advertisements for Saga
Archival Resource Key
1964 December
4
18
Formula 7 advertisements
Archival Resource Key
undated
4
19
Vitamins Super Avityl advertisements
Archival Resource Key
undated
4
20
Charles Atlas Supra Supplements Advertisements
Archival Resource Key
4
21
Advertisements
Archival Resource Key
undated
4
22
Advertising proof
Archival Resource Key
undated
4
23
Advertising proof in German
Archival Resource Key
4
24
Atlas Ltd. materials in Spanish
Archival Resource Key
4
25
Licensing
Archival Resource Key
undated
4
26
Atlas Ltd. debt collection
Archival Resource Key
4
27
Other materials sold by Atlas Company
Archival Resource Key
4
28
Advertisements letters lessons certificate and membership card
Archival Resource Key
1998
4
29
Charles Atlas Ltd. today
Archival Resource Key
1997-1998
4
30
You Can Be a New Man The Charles Atlas Way
Archival Resource Key
1 Poster
1989
1
Non-Atlas catalogs
Archival Resource Key
5
1
Non-Atlas Joe Bonomo
Archival Resource Key
5
2
Non-Atlas Muscular Development Book by Earle E. Liederman
Archival Resource Key
5
3
Flip books
Archival Resource Key
1936
5
4
Mailings
Archival Resource Key
1998
5
5
Miscellaneous Charles Atlas Ltd. Mailings
Archival Resource Key
5
6
Unopened mailing undated
Archival Resource Key
5
7
Miscellaneous promotional materials
Archival Resource Key
5
8
Membership cards
Archival Resource Key
undated
5
9
Championship certificates
Archival Resource Key
undated
5
10
Testimonial letters of artists
Archival Resource Key
June-September 1922
5
11
Testimonial of Alois P. Swoboda
Archival Resource Key
1937
5
12
Transcripts of Radio Programs
Archival Resource Key
1947
5
13
Responses to students Spanish materials
Archival Resource Key
5
14
Application for Brazil in Portuguese
Archival Resource Key
5
15
Letterhead stationery
Archival Resource Key
5
16
Everlasting Health and Strength : My Secret of Dynamic Tension [Booklet]
Archival Resource Key
Atlas, Charles, 1893-1972
1 Item
Ink / Silver gelatin on paper.
1939
5
16
Everlasting Health and Strength : My Secret of Dynamic Tension [Booklet].
"Everlasting Strength and Health"
Local Numbers
00065401.tif (AC Scan No.: cover of booklet)
Arrangement
Located in box 5.
Scope and Contents
An early version of Atlas's training manual. The cover image depicts the author, nude.
Condition
Poor condition; losses on all four corners, especially lower left. Another copy of this booklet in the collection is in better condition.
Masculinity
Nudity
Bodybuilding
Books -- 1930-1940
Dynamic-Tension booklets annotated with changes
Archival Resource Key
undated
5
17
Dynamic-Tension booklets
Archival Resource Key
undated
5
18
Dynamic-Tension booklets
Archival Resource Key
1941
5
19
Dynamic-Tension booklets
Archival Resource Key
1950
5
20
Dynamic-Tension booklets
Archival Resource Key
1956
5
21
Dynamic-Tension booklets
Archival Resource Key
1959
5
22
Dynamic-Tension booklets
Archival Resource Key
1971
5
23
Dynamic-Tension booklets
Archival Resource Key
1973
5
24
Dynamic-Tension booklets
Archival Resource Key
1976
5
25
Dynamic-Tension booklets
Archival Resource Key
1981
5
26
Dynamic-Tension booklets British publications
Archival Resource Key
5
27
Dynamic-Tension booklets French publications
Archival Resource Key
5
28
French materials to accompany Dynamic-Tension booklets
Archival Resource Key
5
29
Dynamic-Tension booklets German publications
Archival Resource Key
5
30
Dynamic-Tension booklets Spanish publications
Archival Resource Key
1948-1956; undated
5
31
Sex and Family Through the Ages
Archival Resource Key
1928
6
1
Sex and Society
Archival Resource Key
1928
6
2
Sexual Education of the Young Woman
Archival Resource Key
1928
6
3
Sexual Education of the Young Man
Archival Resource Key
1928
6
4
Love Courtship Marriage
Archival Resource Key
1928
6
5
Mother and Baby
Archival Resource Key
1928
6
6
Companionate Marriage Birth Control Divorce Modern Home Life
Archival Resource Key
1928
6
7
Sexual Life of Men and Women After Forty
Archival Resource Key
1928
6
8
Diseases and Problems of Old Age
Archival Resource Key
1928
6
9
Sexual Diseases and Abnormalities
Archival Resource Key
1928
6
10
Samples of championship certificates
Archival Resource Key
7
1
Scrapbook
Archival Resource Key
1936-1946
7
2
Photographs
Archival Resource Key
7
3
Esquire
Archival Resource Key
April 1970
7
4
Life
Archival Resource Key
1949 February 21; 1964 May 4; 1964 May 8,
7
5
Look
Archival Resource Key
1955 October 18;
7
6
Blue pencil sketch in wood frame by Everett Whillock 1942
Archival Resource Key
7
1
Diploma of completion of the Charles Atlas System of Health Strength and Personality Building awarded to V. Boff
Archival Resource Key
1936 April 7
7
2
Color cartoon advertisement
Archival Resource Key
1997
7
3
Photographs
Series 4
Archival Resource Key
1909-1998; undated
Scope and Contents
Series 4, Photographs, circa 1909-1998, undated, documents Atlas throughout his life, from the time he was a popular artists' model to old age. The materials are arranged alphabetically by subject.
Atlas as a young man
Archival Resource Key
9
1
Atlas as a middle-aged man
Archival Resource Key
9
2
Atlas later in life
Archival Resource Key
9
3
Atlas beach set-up studio
Archival Resource Key
9
4
Atlas posing in white trunks
Archival Resource Key
9
5
Atlas posing in leopard skin trunks
Archival Resource Key
9
6
Atlas with boxers
Archival Resource Key
9
7
Atlas with celebrities
Archival Resource Key
9
8
Atlas with children
Archival Resource Key
9
9
Atlas with family
Archival Resource Key
9
10
Atlas with Fred Allen
Archival Resource Key
9
11
Atlas with golfers
Archival Resource Key
9
12
Atlas with Jesse Jones and Owen D. Young
Archival Resource Key
9
13
Atlas with unidentified people
Archival Resource Key
9
14
Students
Archival Resource Key
9
15
Atlas WMCA
Archival Resource Key
9
16
Atlas Advertising
Archival Resource Key
9
17
Mr. Roman
Archival Resource Key
9
18
Mr. Roman and Mr. Hogue
Archival Resource Key
9
19
Atlas and Mr. Roman
Archival Resource Key
9
20
Atlas and nudes
Archival Resource Key
9
21
Atlas – Feats of Strength
Archival Resource Key
9
22
Atlas giving awards to others
Archival Resource Key
9
23
Atlas Summer Camp
Archival Resource Key
9
24
Atlas Summer Camp
Atlas teaching
Archival Resource Key
9
25
Atlas doing sports
Archival Resource Key
9
26
Atlas in his office
Archival Resource Key
9
27
S.S. Paris Charles Atlas and Group
Archival Resource Key
9
28
Atlas with plane
Archival Resource Key
9
29