How did Jospeh Pilates create his Pilates Reformer and Pilates Method of Exercise?

Joseph Pilates was born in western Germany in 1883.  He suffered from physical ailments which led him to strengthen his body using Eastern and Western exercises.  In 1912, while living in England during World War I, he was interned on the Isle of Man.  It was there that he invented Pilates Method or Exercises.  He invented his Pilates Reformer by using bed frames and bed springs. At this time he used the pilates equipment to rehabilitate injured soldiers.  

Joseph Pilates relocated to New York City and set up his first Pilates Studio (he called his form of exercise "Contrology").   He continued to invent equipment and develop more than 600 exercises.  The Pilates Method of Exercise was meant for men and women. He used his awareness of gymnastics, boxing and eastern forms of exercise to form ways of strengthening and stretching that is unique to Pilates.  

Joseph Pilates was eager to have a Pilates Studio on every corner.  This began to happen over the last 20 years.