Young Ralph Dibny was fascinated by traveling contortionists and worked out that their abilities stemmed from Gingold™, a soft drink containing juice from the gingo fruit. When Ralph drank a concentrated gingo extract it gave him amazing stretching powers. He moved to Central City to start a career as a Super Hero: the Elongated Man™. Initially mistaken for a villain by local champion, the Flash™, Ralph quickly built a reputation as an eccentric hero, detective, and member of several Justice League™ teams. He also somehow found time to fall in love with Sue Dearbon™, and after they were married, the couple traveled the country, solving mysteries.