The Pre-Modern Era: From Ancient Tonics to Medical Supplements
Before modern manufacturing, the concept of a high-protein diet was known to ancient civilizations. Roman gladiators and Greek athletes consumed heavy amounts of meat and legumes to fuel their physiques. The liquid byproduct of cheesemaking, known as whey, was even recognized for its health benefits by Hippocrates around 460 BC, who prescribed it as a 'serum' to boost the immune system.
The 19th century brought significant advances in food technology and nutritional science. In Germany, a protein-rich powder called Plasmon, derived from dried milk, was developed for malnourished hospital patients. While not initially intended for athletes, British entrepreneurs acquired the rights in 1904 and briefly marketed it as a supplement for athletes before the demand for ingredients waned during World War I. Plasmon represents one of the earliest commercial powdered protein products.
Following Plasmon, pharmacist Eugene Schiff developed a method to extract a whey protein supplement from milk in 1936. He sold his products under the brand Schiff Bio-Foods, although commercial success proved elusive at the time. These early developments were crucial precursors to the booming supplement industry that would emerge decades later.
The Rise of the Bodybuilding Supplement in the 1950s
With the growing popularity of bodybuilding in the mid-20th century, a new market for commercial protein supplements emerged. This is where the primary debate over the 'first' brand lies, with several individuals launching products around the same time.
Bob Hoffman and "Johnson's Hi-Protein Food"
Bob Hoffman, the founder of the York Barbell Company and a significant figure in weightlifting, was a key player. After an encounter with health food advocate Paul Bragg in 1946, Hoffman entered the nutrition business. In the 1950s, he began selling and advertising his first protein product, "Johnson's Hi-Protein Food," in his Strength and Health magazine. Hoffman's early products were reportedly soy-based and sold primarily as a cheap source of nutrients for weightlifters.
Irvin Johnson, a.k.a. Rheo Blair, and Blair's Protein Powder
Around the same time as Hoffman, another figure named Irvin Johnson, later known as Rheo H. Blair, entered the market. In 1951, he introduced a competing product, also called "Johnson's Hi Protein Food". Blair's formula was a significant departure from others of the time, consisting of milk protein (caseinate) and egg albumen, and was renowned for its better taste, which he improved with natural vanilla flavor. Blair, a respected nutritionist in bodybuilding circles, worked with prominent figures and his brand, Blair's Protein Powder, became extremely popular in the 1960s and 1970s, setting a new standard for quality and flavor.
Other Early Contenders
Muscle mogul Joe Weider also advertised a "Hi-Protein Muscle Building Supplement" in his magazines starting in 1952. The Medium article by Ryan Engel also notes that a product called "Hi-Proteen," made from soy flour, was one of the first protein powders on the market in the 1950s, though its taste was reportedly poor. The confluence of these early entrepreneurs during the post-WWII fitness boom is what truly cemented the concept of a dedicated protein supplement for athletes.
The Protein Powder Evolution: Post-1950s Improvements
From the gritty, ill-tasting soy powders of the 1950s, the protein supplement industry underwent a rapid evolution, primarily driven by advancements in food processing technology. The following comparison highlights how far the market has come.
| Feature | Early 1950s Protein Powders | Modern Whey Isolate Powders |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Source | Soy, milk protein (caseinate), egg white | Whey protein isolate/concentrate, casein, plant sources |
| Taste & Mixability | Often gritty and unpalatable | Highly refined, with wide flavor options and excellent mixability |
| Processing | Basic drying and grinding | Advanced methods like microfiltration and ultrafiltration |
| Protein Content | Variable; often lower purity with higher fat/lactose | High-purity, often over 90% protein, with minimal fat and carbs |
| Target Market | Niche; mostly bodybuilders and strength athletes | Mainstream; includes athletes, general fitness users, and health-conscious individuals |
These technological advances, especially the development of cold filtration techniques in the 1970s, were crucial in improving the taste and nutritional profile of supplements. By the 1980s and 1990s, brands like Optimum Nutrition, MET-Rx, and EAS would capitalize on these improvements, pushing protein powders into the mainstream consciousness.
A Complex Lineage, Not a Single First
Pinpointing the very first brand of protein powder is not a simple task due to the evolution of the product and differing target markets. While Plasmon can be considered the first commercial powdered protein for medical use in the late 19th century, the first brands specifically targeting athletes and bodybuilders appeared in the mid-1950s. Both Bob Hoffman and Rheo Blair were instrumental pioneers in this space, with their competing products representing the dawn of the modern bodybuilding supplement market. Blair's innovations in taste and source ingredients were particularly influential in shaping future products. Ultimately, the story of the first protein powder is not a tale of a single brand, but of a series of innovations and entrepreneurial rivalries that paved the way for the multi-billion dollar industry we know today.
For further reading on the history of bodybuilding and nutrition, you may find the digital archives of the Stark Center for Physical Culture insightful.
The Conclusion: The Uncontested Origin Story of a Contested Product
The search for the first brand of protein powder reveals a multi-faceted history that starts with basic medical tonics and evolves into a competitive bodybuilding market. The earliest iterations, such as Plasmon, set the stage, but it was the mid-20th century entrepreneurial spirit of figures like Bob Hoffman and Rheo Blair that truly launched protein powder as a supplement for physical enhancement. Their competing products, despite their initial differences in taste and composition, laid the groundwork for the flavorful, highly refined protein powders that are now a staple for millions. It is their rivalry and innovation that ultimately define the true origin of this now ubiquitous fitness product.
