The History of the Wetsuit

The wetsuit has existed in some form since the early 1950s. UC Berkeley physicist Hugh Bradner began experimenting with wetsuits for the U.S. Navy in 1951. A year later, surfing pioneer Jack O'Neill independently came up with his own wetsuit prototype. But the history of the wetsuit also includes a great deal of invention since then.

The evolution of wetsuit design
The first wetsuits were primitive by today's lights: untreated panels of a foam rubber called neoprene. Because they lacked an inner lining, the first wetsuits had to be powdered with talc, and even then they were sticky and tore easily.

Nylon inner lining eventually helped the stickiness problem, but nylon's natural stiffness decreased the flexibility of a wetsuit. It wasn't until the 1970s that designs somewhat resembling contemporary wetsuits came into being. Double-backed neoprene was sandwiched between fabric layers, enhancing wetsuit durability, and permitting the use of decorative colors and logos.

Modern advances in wetsuit design
As the wetsuit evolved, designs that catered to specific activities came into being. The most notable of these was the Quintana Roo speed wetsuit invented in 1987 by Dan Empfield for use in triathlon competitions. Triathlon wetsuits are slicker, faster, and easier to shed than other wetsuits.

Zipperless wetsuits were invented in 1989 by Body Glove. Modern materials have made further advancements in wetsuit design possible. Examples include spandex, lycra, and thermoplastic. Titanium was first used in wetsuit design in the 1990s and has since become a common feature in high-end wetsuits. The titanium thread woven into the wetsuit lining reflects back a greater portion of body heat, making wetsuits even warmer.

Molded rubber, precision cutting, and securer seals are just some of the advantages to be found in contemporary wetsuits. No doubt the wetsuits of tomorrow will be even sleeker, more comfortable, and more flexible than we can imagine.