A very interesting article in
the
LA Times examines a question that has perplexed surfing aficionados for decades: who invented the wet suit?
Who woke up one day and said, let’s take this neoprene stuff and make it really tight, and allow a wee bit of
water to enter so that it gets warm, and people will be able to go in the water whenever and whereever they want.
We’ll even make it black so that people look like seals and will become tasty snacks for sharks.
Turns out that three BIG names in water sports lay claim to this invention. Bob Meistrell runs Body Glove
International, of Redondo Beach, and says he’s the one. Jack O’Neill is a surfing legend who has leant
his name to one of the surf industry’s most recognized brands. He says he’s the one. And finally Hugh
Bradner, a UC Berkeley physics professor and Manhattan Project scientist, who lives in La Jolla…well, he says HE’s
the one.
Who to believe? Sh*t, I don’t know. But it’s still a good article.