Actually, the name goes all the way back to the Stewart period. People who wanted exercise often volunteered to ring the church bells, since it took a lot of effort to pull the ropes. Since it wasn’t always possible to go to the church bell tower, they took the rope, weight and pulley mechanisms and made it into a separate exercise machine. Since it was the same as a bell that made no noise, it was called a dumb bell.
Not to put a damper on your explanation Ed, but just how many people do you think were in need of exercise during the Stuart period of England? (1603 - 1714) Physical labor was a reality for anyone who wanted to eat with the exception of royalty and clergy or those employed by them. I don’t recall Michelangelo ever playing hunchback.
After farther research I did come up with this to lend credence to the exercise part of your explanation.
“Dumbbells” as a word originated in “Tudor” England – athletes used hand-held church bells to develop the upper body and arms. These bells ranged in weight from a few ounces to many pounds. The bells were flourished in various ways. This would have made a great deal of noise, so the athletes would take out the clappers so they could practice quietly; hence the name “dumb”, as in “no sound”, and “bell” – dumbbell.
Edcole1961 over 15 years ago
Actually, the name goes all the way back to the Stewart period. People who wanted exercise often volunteered to ring the church bells, since it took a lot of effort to pull the ropes. Since it wasn’t always possible to go to the church bell tower, they took the rope, weight and pulley mechanisms and made it into a separate exercise machine. Since it was the same as a bell that made no noise, it was called a dumb bell.
Shannon D. Orr Premium Member over 15 years ago
Gee. I didn’t know that. I feel like a real ding-dong.
carmy over 15 years ago
Hey, maybe Droolia is a descendant of Dumbbell.
wicky over 15 years ago
Pavlov, was that not the dude who had an insatiable urge to feed dogs every time he heard a bell?
DesultoryPhillipic over 15 years ago
Not to put a damper on your explanation Ed, but just how many people do you think were in need of exercise during the Stuart period of England? (1603 - 1714) Physical labor was a reality for anyone who wanted to eat with the exception of royalty and clergy or those employed by them. I don’t recall Michelangelo ever playing hunchback.
DesultoryPhillipic over 15 years ago
After farther research I did come up with this to lend credence to the exercise part of your explanation. “Dumbbells” as a word originated in “Tudor” England – athletes used hand-held church bells to develop the upper body and arms. These bells ranged in weight from a few ounces to many pounds. The bells were flourished in various ways. This would have made a great deal of noise, so the athletes would take out the clappers so they could practice quietly; hence the name “dumb”, as in “no sound”, and “bell” – dumbbell.
Captbill over 15 years ago
I thought it was “Spit”