Just around the turn of the 19th century technological innovations such as railroads and improved economic conditions gave people not only more time for recreation but made public beaches more accessible for vacations.

As a result popular seaside activities such as swimming, surf bathing, and diving became acceptable norms and the need for swimwear itself was created.

In 1910 a 22-year-old Scottish immigrant named Alexander MacRae arrived in Australia.

The 'SPEEDO' company began when MacRae Hosiery manufacturers, established by Alexander in 1914, extended the manufacture of underwear to swimwear and became MacRae Knitting Mills.

Swedish swimmer Arne Borg wore a SPEEDO swimsuit when he set a world swimming record and in the process helped to promote the company.

SPEEDO PRODUCT HISTORY

1928
The need for swimwear evolved in the 1920s due to an emerging enjoyment of local surroundings, along with a more liberal attitude towards mixed bathing and the acceptance of swimming as a sport. This was the year that saw the introduction of the SPEEDO 'Racerback' costume.

The SPEEDO 'Racerback' freed the swimmers arms, hugged the body and gave swimmers what they wanted, speed through the water.

1929
1929 saw the production of the first SPEEDO swimsuits and it didn't take long for the brand to successfully establish itself in the hearts and minds of the swimmers and the general public.

1936
With the fashion in swimwear continually changing, the Australian swim team attended the 1936 Berlin Olympic Games, all wearing SPEEDO. One of the men's suits was a pair of daring, bare-chested swimming shorts.

1945
After the Second World War ended, another battle began on the beaches the battle of the bikini! Two piece swimsuits for women had first appeared just before the war began and they certainly proved to be a challenge for the Australian beach inspectors after it had finished. The SPEEDO bikini was banned!

1970s & 1980's
SPEEDO began manufacturing in the UK in the 1970s, and they were the first company to produce nylon/elastane swimwear, which was the most popular swimwear fabric's through the 1980's and remains so today.

1992
SPEEDO launches S2000, the world's first, fast swimwear fabric, at the Barcelona Olympics. Swimmers wearing the brand won 53% of the medals at the Games.

1995
SPEEDO launches Endurance swimwear which uses a fabric that, unlike nylon/elastane, will not degrade in water. The fabric also has the same comfort and fit properties of nylon/elstane swimwear as adopted by many fitness and competitive swimmers for pool training.

1996
SPEEDO launches a new fast fabric called Aquablade in new styles of racing swimsuits. The competitive suits cover more of the body, with women wearing legsuits and men wearing hydrashorts.

At the 1996 at the Atlanta Olympics 76% of all swimming medals were won in SPEEDO, most wearing SPEEDO Aquablade.

2000
The first Olympics of the new millennium sees SPEEDO launch a revolutionary new swimsuit: FASTSKIN. It is the ultimate performance swimsuit based on shark skin and makes a huge impact on the competitive swimming world.

At the 2000 Sydney Games an incredible 83% of all swimming medals were won and 13 out of 15 world records broken by swimmers competing in SPEEDO, most wearing SPEEDO FASTSKIN.

2002
FASTSKIN scoops the coveted Best Designed Sport Kit Award at the Sports Industry Awards in London, UK.

2003
As part of the 75 year anniversary celebrations, swimwear designer Melissa Odabash designs a range of swim suits for SPEEDO. Melissa also designs a capsule collection and celebrities including Naomi Campbell and Jerry Hall are photographed by the singer Bryan Adams to showcase the collection.

2004
SPEEDO FASTSKIN FSII is launched globally on Tuesday 9th March to audiences in Sydney, London and New York. The innovative new FSII suit mimics the shark more closely and increases speed by reducing passive drag by 4% more than next best tested.

11 of the world's top swimmers were involved in the development of the suit and they form the renowned FASTSKIN FSII team of superheroes competing in Athens this summer.

2004
Speedo joins forces with Brazilian swimwear designer Rosa Cha to create an inspired collection of designer beachwear as a key part of its Spring/Summer 2005 collection.

The Rosa Cha suits have been designed using strong Brazilian features, and Speedo has teamed up with the designer to create 20 individual, confident styles including triangle bikinis, bandeaus and dramatic cutaway 1 piece swimsuits.

2005
The Montreal capsule collection is launched this Summer. Inspired by the 1976 Montreal Olympics, it includes both female and male swim suits, beachwear, apparel, bags and footwear, to create the complete sport and fashion inspired collection.