Time magazine offers readers a history of the bikini in which they offer these two interesting tidbits:
First, the two piece bathing suit was, in part, justified/necessitated by war rationing during World War II. There simply wasn’t enough money to buy all that fabric.
Second, the bikini got it’s name from the oooh and awe resulting from a nuclear test at Bikini Atoll. Louis Réard, to whom the invention of the bikini is credited, followed the nuclear-loving fashion of the day. He named it after the location, hoping that “his invention would be as explosive as that test…”
Lisa Wade, PhD is an Associate Professor at Tulane University. She is the author of American Hookup, a book about college sexual culture; a textbook about gender; and a forthcoming introductory text: Terrible Magnificent Sociology. You can follow her on Twitter and Instagram.
Comments 12
J — August 28, 2009
I don't buy the first part for a second. It was the relaxing/sexing up of fashion that made two-pieces possible, not the need to save four square inches of fabric.
Ben Zvan — August 28, 2009
If I recall correctly, the second image has no bikinis because bikinis must show belly-button. Those would be two-piece swimsuits. Of course, I heard that on 'Wait, Wait, Don't Tell Me' so I can't substantiate it.
Keydar — August 28, 2009
"War rationing provided the stimulus for the two-piece, when the U.S. government ordered manufacturers to reduce the amount of fabric they used, resulting in the bare midriff."
The way they phrase this is completely non-factual. They imply that the bare midriff in woman's swimwear was a direct result of war rationing, when two-piece swimsuits were already worn before the US even entered the war.
"In the austere postwar years, mankind needed something to bring peace and happiness to the planet once more. That thing was the bikini. Its perfection of form and function ensured that once again, mankind was united in a single thought: phwoar! Happy 63rd birthday, bikini — possibly the greatest enjoyment-giving invention of the 20th century."
You know, I would have said latex. More specifically the latex condom. but then again, those can be slightly uncomfortable for men, so they are out of the running. Strings wrapped around women, on the other hand, don't bother men at all.
This quote also makes it very apparent how easily it is to objectify women by using an object that conforms to a woman's body as a source of pleasure. By saying that a bikini brings you pleasure, you are reducing a woman's appearance to a bunch of strings that can fit into a matchbox. What he is really saying is "The woman's body is the best enjoyment-giving invention of the 20th century."
Rachel — August 28, 2009
I love the first picture! She looks so confident, like she could swim across any body of water she wanted. Any idea of a year on that photo?
Shana — August 30, 2009
interesting how the woman in the full body swimming suit is rather overweight, but after the invention of the bikini women magically had perfect bodies for the new two-piece. Any picture of a slightly overweight (or even average) woman in a bikini today is met with laughter and ridicule. Such as this ad from Peta, http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/08/17/petas-new-save-the-whales_n_261134.html.
adelia henderson — September 2, 2009
From what they show on TV now, these images look very tame.
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[...] I bet you’re curious about the history of the bikini. [...]
J. — September 13, 2009
Seriously? The authors of this article have Ph.D.s and yet they manage to use the wrong ITS? "Second, the bikini got it’s name" what you're saying there is "got it is name". What you WANT to say is the bikini got ITS name. Sorry to nitpick but that's just damn offensive. You're PROFESSIONALS and you're using incorrect grammar.
Tj — November 27, 2009
I'M ANONOYMOUS, TIME TO SAY SOMETHING I WOULDN'T IN REAL LIFE, BECAUSE I GOT SOME INTERNET BALLS AND IMA SWANG EM!