FR-09 GUARDING THE FAMILY JEWELS: A HISTORY OF THE ATHLETIC CUP

Abstract

You have accessJournal of UrologyHistory Forum1 Apr 2018FR-09 GUARDING THE FAMILY JEWELS: A HISTORY OF THE ATHLETIC CUP Charles A. Loeb, Tal Cohen, Daniel Rittenberg, and Howard L. Adler Charles A. LoebCharles A. Loeb More articles by this author , Tal CohenTal Cohen More articles by this author , Daniel RittenbergDaniel Rittenberg More articles by this author , and Howard L. AdlerHoward L. Adler More articles by this author View All Author Informationhttps://doi.org/10.1016/j.juro.2018.02.3029AboutPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissionsReprints ShareFacebookTwitterLinked InEmail INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES The athletic cup has long been used as protective equipment in sports. While now a required piece of personal equipment in several major sports, its use was not as widely accepted as it is today. METHODS An internet search was done of all available literature. RESULTS Groin safety has long been a concern of man. It was not until the early 20th century that the need for a protective cup in sports garnered attention. Medical literature around that time is fraught with tales of genital trauma, particularly in baseball. During that time, ballplayers gave tremendous resistance to personal protective equipment (i.e. gloves and batting helmets), fearing these would be emasculating. However, Claude Berry, a catcher known for his uncommon composure and self-assurance behind home plate, was able to wear the first known protective cup because it was hidden from view. It's believed his qualities behind the plate were enhanced by the piece of molded steel in his pants. In 1926, James Phillip Leo Taylor, an athlete of sorts and world record setter in sack racing, forayed into sporting goods manufacturing while moonlighting as second tenor in the Metropolitan Opera. At the end of the first act, Taylor was accidentally hit in the groin by a spear carrier, raising his voice a couple octaves. The next day, Taylor fashioned a protective aluminum cup out of a sheet of aluminum and a supply of rubber cigars. He then approached the spear carrier and demanded that he be kicked. Shielded by his new contraption, Taylor's groin became invincible. He marketed his new device at boxing matches and local gyms, constantly imploring boxers, fight promoters, and sportswriters to kick him as hard as they could in the testicles. His catchphrase quickly became "kick me here." After the 1930 heavyweight boxing championship match was frustratingly decided by a foul to groin, cups became mandatory in the sport. However, it wasn't Taylor's "Foulproof Cup" that became the industry standard, but rather the cast-iron cup of his archnemesis, Jacob Golomb, a swimsuit manufacturer and brief boxer most known for his now ubiquitous brand of boxing gear, Everlast. Taylor ventured into other protective gear, developing a Shockproof Helmet for football and a Beanproof Cap for baseball, but none of these made him any fortune. His demonstrative techniques of repeatedly asking to be kicked in the groin earned him a moniker: Brass Nuts. CONCLUSIONS Foulproof Taylor's contributions to personal groin protection certainly saved many men's virility, but as his great-niece put it, "all those years of being kicked you-know-where had taken their toll" and he never had any children of his own. © 2018FiguresReferencesRelatedDetails Volume 199Issue 4SApril 2018Page: e1244 Advertisement Copyright & Permissions© 2018MetricsAuthor Information Charles A. Loeb More articles by this author Tal Cohen More articles by this author Daniel Rittenberg More articles by this author Howard L. Adler More articles by this author Expand All Advertisement Advertisement PDF downloadLoading ...