Background
Joe has been studying the iron game for 50 years (1957) and in 1970 he began a systematic study of who wrote which article in which magazine, where articles could be found by topic, etc. This information was placed on index cards for a quarter of a century, and then the several hundred thousand references were entered into a computer. This input continues, and has helped some authors in the research of their books- including Arnold Schwarzenegger with The New Encyclopedia of Modern Bodybuilding, for which Joe fact-checked the history section.
For a few years he published his newsletter MUSCLESEARCH: The Roark Report, and for ten years he contributed to the journal Iron Game History from the University of Texas.
In 1992 he was appointed as Historian for the men's division of IFBB bodybuilding, and began his column Factoids, now in its fourteenth year. His ironhistory.com discussion forum is also part of the Cyberpump.com family.
Articles :: Sorted By Date
INCH 101: An Introduction To The Basics, Part 1.
Inch 101 - a series of articles that will relay to you about the life of Thomas Inch and his famed Inch Dumbbell. This first part will give some insight about Thomas and a brief history of the Inch Dumbbell. See who could lift it...
Section: Contests :: Dec 13, 2006
INCH 101: Hengler's Circus/Apollon/Padoubny And The Challenge Dumbbell, Part 2.
Inch 101 - A series of articles that will relay to you about the life of Thomas Inch and his famed Inch Dumbbell. Part 2 talks about the famous Challenge Bell and major inconsistencies from stories about Inch & the Challenge Bell.
Section: Contests :: Jan 25, 2007
INCH 101: The 'Famous' Inch Challenge Dumbbell; The 172 Pound Bell, Part 3.
Inch 101 - A series of articles that will relay to you about the life of Thomas Inch and his famed Inch Dumbbell. Part 3 talks about major inconsistencies from stories about the famous dumbbell which no man can lift; the 172 pound bell.
Section: Contests :: Feb 13, 2007
INCH 101: Some Memories, Estimates, Guesses Regarding Thomas Inch, Part 4.
Inch 101 - A series of articles that will relay to you about the life of Thomas Inch and his famed Inch Dumbbell. Part 3 talks about four different dumbbells, there weight, and who could or couldn’t lift them.
Section: Contests :: Apr 27, 2007
INCH 101: Mr. Thomas Inch, The Scarborough Hercules.
More in the life of Mr. Thomas Inch, the Scarborough Hercules: Continue here and learn more about this man and his feats of strength and challenge with the famous challenge bell.
Section: Contests :: Jul 23, 2007
INCH 101: Some Reasons Why - In Plain Language & The Inch Dumbbell (Part 18-20)
In plain English: Here's more revealed on the life and success of the famed Inch Dumbbell - Details include controversy, deceit, competition info, and more!
Section: Mind :: Feb 12, 2008
INCH 101: Mark Henry's Successful Lift With Inch Dumbbell!
This week we start with INCH 101: part 14, because of Mark Henry's successful one hand clean and push press with an Inch replica on June 22, 2002 in New Jersey. Learn more about this amazing feat!
Section: Contests :: Feb 14, 2008
