Bathing Suit History

Bombs, Bond Girls, and Beauty Queens: The Bikini Culture

March 12, 2013

Bikini Bomb, 1946

Bathing Suit History

Source: Getty

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by Tara Block 2

Bikini Bomb, 1946

While bikinis may seem like no biggie these days, when they first hit the modern world, there was quite a stir. When French engineer Louis Réard and fashion designer Jacques Heim revealed the first bikini designs in 1946, the only model willing to wear the string suit was nude dancer Micheline Bernardini. They even named it after the islands where the atomic bomb was tested because they believed it would be so shocking.

5 / 21

by Tara Block 2

Bikini Bomb, 1946

While bikinis may seem like no biggie these days, when they first hit the modern world, there was quite a stir. When French engineer Louis Réard and fashion designer Jacques Heim revealed the first bikini designs in 1946, the only model willing to wear the string suit was nude dancer Micheline Bernardini. They even named it after the islands where the atomic bomb was tested because they believed it would be so shocking.

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2 Comments

Grace Hitchcock 46 weeks 1 day

What I like most about the slideshow, is that all of the girls aren't super skinny! So refreshing so see some curves!

Assistant Community Manager 1 year 7 weeks

Wow, I knew that each suit had a different name. I think monokinis are so cute but not practical for real ocean swimming... or getting an even tan!