History of Dick Held's career with javelin design and production
Article courtesy of Dick Held. (01/02/2000)
1950-1952, Dick's brother Bud was one of the top three throwers in the world .Difficulty in obtaining good javelins from Finland caused him to repair broken implements for his own use and to notice at the same time differences which affected performance He experimented first with pieces of Karhu implements and then built a few from local materials with same encompassing radical design Bud soon realized he did not have time to continuing this and asked Dick if he wished to build some javelins for competition.
1953, while running a family business Dick a graduate electrical engineer and electrical contractor, took over the repairs and experimentation. During the next year he built many test implements which Bud, Bill Miller and Cy Young used in competition, Early that year Bud set a world record with one of the implements made from pieces of redesigned Finnish parts later that year Bill Miller broke Bud's new record with an implement built by Dick entirely from American material. This record was legal in every respect but the implement was broken on subsequent throws that day and when glued back together the balance point, because of the added weight of the glue, was found to be 1/128th of an inch too far back. Even though the implement had met all specifications and been checked by the weight master before the meet, the controversy caused IAAF approval to be tabled. A year later when Bud set a longer record the issue was dropped Bill although recognized by many as record holder, never received The IAAF recognition he deserved,
Complaints to IAAF that the javelin was only available to a few throwers giving some Americans unfair advantages caused Dick to begin commercial sales through Lakeside Supply Company to all who wished to use the javelin.
1954, World wide sales Began.
1955, Bud Held set second world record with Dick Held designed and produced implement.
1956, Europeans break Bud Held's record several times using Dick Held javelins.
1957-1960, Dick introduces first widely successful aluminum javelin. Several rule changes continue need for research and experimentation Al Cantello sets world record with new Dick Held aluminum model.
1960,. Carl. Lievore sets new world record with Dick Held aluminum javelin redesigned after IAAF rule change in early 1960.
1964, Dick Held. invents and patents machine for tapering metal tubing. This machine makes the low cost production of quality javelins possible.
1965, Production of wood javelins end.
1968, Lakeside Supply Company sold to Head. Ski Company which is soon taken over by AMF Dick Reid continues as consultant and returns to engineering graduate work emphasizing composites at San Diego State University.
1970, Dick continues graduate engineering studies at Colorado State while serving as throws coach.
1972; Dick Held. spends year as Head Javelin Coach for Greece.
1973, Dick independently forms white water Boats which produces fiberglass kayaks and canoes.
1974, Dick hired as AMF - Pacer consultant and Juris Terauds collaborate to introduce a new design, the Dick Held Custom model, This model was a radical departure and it was not until 1978 that it began to win wide acceptance.
1981, Dick Held hired by AMF full time to head the javelin department of AMF Pacer Whitewater Boats operations is closed.
1982, Bob Rogge set's new US javelin record using Dick Held Custom II.
1983, Tom Petranoff set a new world record using Dick Held Custom III.
1984, Uwe Hohn sets world record using Dick field Custom III, 344') over 100 meters for the first time
1986, Dick Held leaves Pacer with the intention of permanently retiring New IAAF rule resuts in a 25 meter reduction of throws
1987, Challenged by the new rule Dick Held joins OTE as general manager He again builds machinery and begins production of new style javelins under the OTE trademark. The OTE javelin, in spite of the lack of financial support gradually gains popularity. Two worlds records are set with it in the 1990s.
1993 - A very successful Dick Held Designed all metal discus is introduced and quickly gains wide acceptance in the 1996 Olympics.
1998 - Dick Held retires from active management when OTE is acquired by Gill Athletics. Dick continues as a consutant in javelin design and production.
