How ideas about the ideal male body have changed over the past 150 years
Each of us has our own idea of a perfect body. It depends on fashion trends, changes in culture and even on the availability of food.
The artist Nikolai Lamm (Nickolay Lamm) decided to systematize knowledge about how the ideal of a man's appearance changed over time. To do this, he collected photographs of those Americans who were considered "perfect people" in every decade since 1870. And after that, he created their sculptural 3D models.
For example, at the end of the XIX century in the USA, the so-called "daddy's body" (Dad-bod) was considered ideal. Having a large waist and plump cheeks was a sign of wealth and social well-being.
Take a look at how dramatically the views on the ideal male body have changed over the past 150 years.
The 1870s. Before food became readily available to everyone, obesity was a sign of wealth.
In 1866, the "Fat Men's Club" was founded in Connecticut, which became quite popular and spread throughout the United States. To join it, you had to weigh at least 90 kilograms. Here is a photo of the members of this club from 1894.
The 1930s. In the 30s, it was easier to find food, so Hollywood actors created a slender ideal.
Actor Cary Grant has a typical ideal body shape of that time.
The 1960s. In the 60s, Americans showed fatigue from the corporate mainstream.
They rebelled, grew long hair, took drugs and did not exercise.
The 1980s. In the 80s, health clubs and gyms became popular.
Bodybuilding has conquered the masses.
The 1990s. In the 90s, the popularity of hypermasculinity decreased significantly.
Brad Pitt in "Fight Club" symbolizes the perfect body of the 90s.
After the 80s, people no longer want to waste time to become bodybuilders.
This continues in the XXI century — in which ideals are similar to the 90s.
In 2012, researchers from the Institute of Neurology used 3D imaging software to evaluate their preferences for the bodies of men and women.
Slim and muscular bodies have become the ideal for both sexes.
So, unlike in the 1870s, a beer belly is no longer a sign of an ideal body.