William Staub, who recognized for inventing and manufacturing of home treadmill for the fitness industry. William Staub, who took the treadmill out of doctor’s offices to into homes, died at 96 on July 19, 2012. He known as a creator of first home treadmill.
The top reliable sources, that confirm it :-
https://news.yahoo.com/william-staub-took-treadmill-doctors-offices-homes-dies-010016928.html
https://www.acefitness.org/resources/everyone/blog/2807/home-treadmill-creator-william-staub-dies/
Who is William Staub ?
Staub is credited with inventing the first consumer home treadmill in 1968, which has become a staple of gyms & home gyms around the world.
William Edward Staub was a mechanical engineer who invented and developed the first home treadmill, the Pace Master 600 in the end of 1960’s.
Dr. Kenneth H. Cooper has praised Staub for his invention because it was built to be accessible to people, not just athletes.
Which Thing Motivated William Staub To Built A Home Treadmill?
Staub developed the first treadmill for home use after reading “Aerobics” book written by Dr. Kenneth H. Cooper in 1968. His book was originally aimed at professional athletes, but it notes that regular jogging would be good for almost anyone. Cooper’s book indicated that people who ran a mile for 8 minutes 4-5 times a week would be in better physical condition than those who did not do it. That inspired him to invent a home running equipment for people.
Staub noticed that there were no inexpensive treadmills for home use and decided to develop one for his own use.
After finishing his prototype, he sent it to Dr. Kenneth H. Cooper who quickly approved and liked the invention. Words spread faster and the first customers of this new fitness technology were salespeople that had a lot of fitness equipment they needed to be able to advertise effectively.
The Staub’s invention revolutionized the way people exercise.
Also Read :- How to motivate yourself to run on the treadmill ?
What Dr. Cooper Said in 2012 Interview About This Invention?
In an interview from 2012, Dr. Cooper said of Staub’s prototype “There really wasn’t a practical treadmill in those days, no one had found a way for people to equipment for running indoors, in a way that simulated outdoor exercise.” William Staub worked on it very well and give a equipment for this as a home treadmill for all people of the world.
Great Moments for His Invention – Big Appreciations
In 2006, Runner’s World magazine had this to say about Staub: “Our Favorite Things: 40 years of running gear innovations” The magazine stated that this treadmill invention (PaceMaster 600) abolished bad weather as a valid excuse to skip running. It made running easier for people at their homes according to their ease. This was a really revolutionary invention in health & fitness field of this era.
Missouri State University professor of kinesiology Barbara Bushman said William Staub changed the way people exercise.
“From a public health perspective, it’s really encouraging. Bushman said he made the excuse of the bad weather irrelevant for exercise. The one piece of exercise equipment invented by him really taken away all excuses for not running or exercise form any person.” Now you can run or workout inside your room according to your need and comfort. He made it possible.
A Brief Introduction About William Staub Life
Staub was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in 1915 on 3 November. Clifton, New Jersey was his residence for most of his life. He lived here for over 70 years.
During the World War 2, He was working as an engineer for the propeller division of Curtiss Wright, that was an aircraft manufacturer company. The moved to the New Jersey for his job.
After leaving Curtiss Wright job, he founded the Besco Corp. in Clifton, New Jersey. The name ‘Besco’ was an acronym for the “Bill Edward Staub Corporation”.
In 1968 William Staub inspired from Dr. Copper book name “Aerobics” and he decided to invent affordable home treadmill for all common people. He also succeeded in it in the end of 1960’s.
Staub’s success with the treadmill lead to a change of focus in his work. Instead of continuing his work with aerospace, Staub focused more on the treadmill at Aerobics Inc., a treadmill manufacture company founded by Dr. Cooper, which made affordable home treadmill to the world in future.
In the mid-1990s Staub retired from the treadmill industry.
About The Staub Family
As I told you above, Staub was born in Philadelphia on November 3, 1915. His wife name was Dorothy who passed away in year 2007. One of his daughter died in 1977. After his death in year 2012, he has left 6 children’s behind him – 4 sons & 2 daughters.