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Hugh Bradner, a University of California, Berkeley physicist, invented the modern wetsuit in 1952. [3] Wetsuits became available in the mid-1950s and evolved as the relatively fragile foamed neoprene was first backed, and later sandwiched, with thin sheets of tougher material such as nylon or later spandex (also known as lycra).
The history of swimwear traces the changes in the styles of men's and women's swimwear over time and between cultures, and touches on the social, religious and legal attitudes to swimming and swimwear. In classical antiquity and in most cultures, swimming was either in the nude or the swimmer would merely strip to their underwear.
While men's events were an integral part of all Olympics, women's races were introduced only in 1912, and until 1924 were limited to a couple of freestyle events. Public nudity was a major concern in designing early swimwear. It was a major factor behind the non-participation of American women in the 1912 Olympics. [3]
Prior to the 1930s, swimsuits were typically made of wool; however, such suits did not hug the body and became heavy with water. [ citation needed ] Rayon began to be used in the 1920s in the manufacture of tight-fitting swimsuits, [ 2 ] but its durability, especially when wet, proved problematic, [ 3 ] with jersey and silk also sometimes being ...
Kellerman marketed these bathing suits and the style came to be known as "the Annette Kellerman". The one-piece swimsuit became accepted swimsuit attire for women in parts of Europe by 1910, [3] and other places, and was the authorised attire for women's swimming at the 1912 Summer Olympics, the first at which women competed.
Evidence of bikini-style women's clothing has been found as early as 5600 BC, and the history of the bikini can be traced back to that era. Illustrations of women wearing bikini-like garments during competitive athletic events in the Roman era have been found in several locations, the most famous of which is at Villa Romana del Casale .
1954 – The first international women's rowing races were introduced at the European Rowing Championships. [116] 1954 – The All-American Girls Professional Baseball League played its final game and folded. [64] 1954 - Diane Leather of England became the first woman to run a sub-5-minute mile. [117]
Woman wearing a "sport suit," American, June 1920. Sportswear originally described interchangeable separates, as here. Signed "Evans, LA" Sportswear is an American fashion term originally used to describe separates, but which since the 1930s has come to be applied to day and evening fashions of varying degrees of formality that demonstrate a specific relaxed approach to their design, while ...