From Wikipedia: "... Bob Hoffman, named 'Father of World Weightlifting' by the International Weightlifting Federation, founded York Barbell in 1932. As a prolific writer of books and articles, Hoffman promoted the benefits of exercise and nutrition. ... From the decades of the 1930s through the 1970s, York Barbell sponsored over 40 national championships and numerous Olympic gold medalists, a few of whom are featured in one of the Murals of York, PA. Today, the corporate office of York Barbell Company houses the official Weightlifting Hall of Fame and Museum in York, Pennsylvania and continues to host a variety of powerlifting and bodybuilding competitions."