July 5th, 1946....Wow! What a Creation!

On July 5th, 1946, a French designer named Louis Reard, introduced an article of clothing that caused almost every man in the world to stand up and take notice...it was actually a 2-piece article of clothing...for women...and was officially shown to the public at a popular swimming pool in Paris, named the Piscine Molitor.
 A Parisian showgirl named Micheline Bernardini wore the outfit and Louis Reard called his new creation: "The Bikini"!

 In the 1930's women had begun wearing 2 piece bathing suits that consisted of a halter top and shorts: but only a tiny area of the midriff was exposed making doubly sure the naval area was vigilantly covered.
 World War ll brought much advancement of women swimsuits to a standstill, although due to rationing of fabric, skirt panels and other accessories women adorned themselves were removed.

 In 1946, Western Europe now experiencing a war-free summer for the first time in years, began to experience other liberations as well.
 The "World's smallest bathing suit", made from only 30 inches of fabric, was introduced for the first time and was named the "Bikini" after the Bikini Atoll, islands which were used for nuclear testing. ( In a very serious note, these islands and the people who live there have been through "hell" due to these testings, and there are numerous websites on their history, its people, and the work that has been done to help those who live there return to a "normal life.")


At first, Louis Reard had trouble finding a professional model to wear his new creation, ultimately finding an exotic dancer at Casino de Paris named Micheline Bernardini, who had no objections to the newly created fashion.
 The bikini became a "big hit" the very first day, with men everywhere throughout the world standing with applause, followed by 50,000 fan letters in support of Reard's new bathing suit for women.

 At first, Spain and Italy passed legislation prohibiting bikinis in public, yet by the 1950's bikinis became a "mainstay" on beaches throughout the world.
 One of Louis Reardon's advertisements to keep the "bikini mystique" alive was: " A Genuine Bikini wasn't a Genuine Bikini unless it could be pulled through a Wedding Ring."


 America was more resistant to the bikini, and it wasn't until the early 1960's that bikinis were being seen throughout public beaches, swimming pools, etc.
  Of course, pop singer Brian Hyland made the bikini more popular with his song: "Itsy Bitsy Teenie Weenie Yellow Polk-a-Dot Bikini" in 1960.
 California was instrumental in the popularity of bikinis with beach movies starring Annette Funicello and Frankie Avalon, along with "surfer music" groups like "The Beach Boys".

 So, what do you think...a good invention...or a bad invention?

As for me...I don't have any problems if women prefer wearing bikinis...I mean...it's what in the heart that counts...right? (lol)