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.
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