Bike Jockstrap Large White/Grey Adult Supporter

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Boys' Life magazine carried ads for athletic supporters from 1928 until 1983, though interrupted by the Depression and WWII. A 1948 ad shows a smiling young man saying, “for the winning edge players wear . . .” OLYMPIC CHAMPION V-front Athletic Supporter. Kimmel, Michael; Milrod, Christine; Kennedy, Amanda (2014). Cultural Encyclopedia of the Penis. Rowman & Littlefield. p.97. ISBN 978-0-7591-2314-4. A 1930s display ad read “Guard the Vital Zone; Be sure it’s a Pal; Wear An Athletic Supporter or Suspensory for All Active Sports” (depicting a golfer) on one side, and “Guard the Vital Zone; Be sure it’s a Pal; Wear an Athletic Supporter or Suspensory for Safety, Ease and Comfort, Appearance, Fatigue Prevention” (depicting a baseball player) on the other. This design is very similar to the ads in Boys’ Life magazine in 1932. An October 1946 ad has a photo montage of 4 sports above text reading, “Protection that pays.” There is a depiction of the Bike No. 53 Cup Supporter, and of the Bike No. 50 Cup. The cushion is sold separately as Bike No. 48 Rubber Cushion For Cup. “There’s a BIKE Support For Every Sport.” The Bike Web Company, Chicago.

A 1947 ad depicts a football player saying, “The Word’s Getting ‘Round – For Action OLYMPIC CHAMPION Is The Supporter.” There is a drawing of the Apex No. 1 (mesh pouch) and the Apex No. 2 (flannel pouch to hold a protective cup).A 1935 ad for the PAL Athletic Supporter was headlined “OLYMPIC STAR PAL SALES” and had 4 photos of athletes plus one photo of the supporter. Spalding’s Fall Catalogue of 1917 carried ads for “Mike Murphy” Athletic Supporters, Spalding Elastic Supporters, Morton Style Supporters, Spalding Swimming Supporters, The “Bike” Elastic Supporters, and Spalding Aluminum Abdomen Protectors. History: BIKE® Athletic began in 1874 by producing an athletic supporter for cyclists in Boston. It became so popular amongst bicycle riders and messengers that the company named itself BIKE®. A 1949 ad by the O-C Manufacturing Co. depicts a diver saying, “The Word’s Getting ‘Round – For Action OLYMPIC CHAMPION Is The Supporter.”

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 1922 ad read, “Mizpah No. 44 Supporter: Gives you a feeling of real comfort and the assurance of perfect protection while exercising or playing games of any kind. All elastic. Perfect fit. Will not chafe. Perfect pouch. Patented opening in front. May be boiled to cleanse.” There is a drawing of the supporter. It was sold by The Walter F. Ware Co. of Philadelphia, PA for 75 cents. This ad appeared in the A&E documentary “Unmentionables: A Brief History.” (AllKink) 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. 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. 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.The 1933 Spalding Athletic Goods catalog carried a line of Spalding Supporters, Bike Supporters, and two kinds of “Aluminum Supporter Cups.” 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. In 1905 the Bike logo, a bicycle wheel with the words, “The Bike” was trademarked. It had first been used in 1896. 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. On April 9, 1907 John Gambel patented a corrugated metal protective cup, with straps to tie on. Rights were assigned to George A. Reach.