Extreme Abilities: Amazing Human Feats and the Simple Science Behind Them

Extreme Abilities: Amazing Human Feats and the Simple Science Behind Them — page 5
Chapter 1 MASTERS of MUSCLE Every seat in the auditorium is filled More people line the walls and hundreds of others have been turned away at the door But despite the crowd the space is quiet It’s May 27 1895 The audience in Boston Massachusetts is frozen with anticipation All eyes are on the man on the stage Louis Cyr born in Quebec Canada is already famous for his strength but now he’s going to prove without a doubt he’s the strongest man of all Louis picks 18 men out of the audience the biggest ones he can find The men are weighed They step together onto a platform resting on wooden supports Louis bends He slips under the platform He rests the top of his back against it His goal to lift all 1,967 kilograms 4,336 pounds Yesterday’s newspaper declared in huge letters CYR PROMISES A BIG SENSATION TOMORROW MORNING AT 10 50 But can Louis do it He heaves His muscles strain His legs push His face turns red The platform starts to tremble The platform starts to lift Finally it clears the supports The audience erupts in cheers