It’s summer time and that means it’s time to hit the beaches, pools, rivers, lakes and pretty much any other body of water large enough to cool you off. It also means ladies will be strutting around in bikinis that would make their mother’s blush. Celebrate this summertime eye candy with a few facts about this amazing little garment. I’m even gonna throw in some of our own sexy Chivettes to sweeten the deal.
The bikini was introduced into western culture by an automobile engineer, Louis Rear. This gives new meaning to the term “headlights”.
Reard proclaimed that it shouldn’t be considered a “real bikini” unless it could be pulled through a wedding ring. I may have to do some official inspections at the pool this weekend.
The swimwear is named after Bikini Atoll, which is where the US conducted its first nuclear tests on July 1, 1946. Bikini’s are the bomb,
Reard was unable to find a model willing to wear the bikini in front of cameras, so he hired a nude dancer to show it off.
Though Reard introduced the bikini to modern civilization, there are paintings dating back to 1400 BC depicting female athletes wearing very similar two piece garments.
The Vatican proclaimed the bikini “sinful” causing it to be banned in Spain, Portugal, Italy, Belgium and Australia—some US states even prohibited it. We’re glad they finally saw the light.
The “Miss World” pageant actually began as a Bikini contest. The “Miss World” pageant should go back to being a bikini contest…
The 19th century’s version of a bikini consisted of heavy flannel or wool so they would not be transparent when wet. They were so heavy the beaches strung ropes from shore for women to hold onto to keep from sinking. Insert joke about “flotation devices” here.
Bikinis became the official uniform for women’s Olympic beach volleyball in 1994 causing many to claim it was exploitation, while others believed it was more practical. I proclaim this rule was made for the benefit of Brazilians.
Perhaps the most famous bikini ever is Ursula Andress’ from 1962’s ‘Dr. No.’ At an auction in 2001, it sold for over $61,000.
Brooklyn designer Andrew Schneider invented a solar powered bikini aptly named, the ‘iKini,’ which produces enough power to keep your iPod going all day at the beach.
Sports Illustrated ran its first swimsuit edition in 1964 which featured a bikini clad Babette March on the cover.
Now that I’ve given you a study guide, get out there and do your own research. You know, for science!
