science · 19 December 1950 · 75 years ago
In 1950, Rose Marie Reid of Los Angeles, California, received a U.S. patent for a one-piece bathing suit (No. 2,535,018) "embodying a novel construction for causing it to snugly fit the body of a wearer in a flattering manner," using elastic fabric. It would "shape and support portions of the body of the wearer in areas of the bust and abdomen in a flattering manner without discomfort or impedance to free movements of the body." The elastic fabric and elastic securing bands were designed to enable the garment to be put on without having buttoned openings which would "detract from the appearance of the garment." She assigned the patent to a corporation with her name through which she was a successful businesswoman and swimsuit designer.
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