Vigo County Historical Society

Historical Treasure Article

Historic Treasure of the Week - June 16, 1985
By Donald L. Layton
Vigo County Historical Society

Men's 1-piece suit stylish in 1920s

That sweet young thing wearing the latest bikini who is about to dive into the family's new heated pool may think she is engaging in a comtempory pastime. Actually, she's simply emulating the ancient Romans who brought communal bathing and swimming pools to a level that has perhaps never been duplicated.

Even before the Romans, bathing was known and enjoyed by earlier people. The first pools were probably built in what today is India. The Egyptians built pools as did the Persians, Assyrians and Hebrews. But swimming was raised to its zenith by the Romans, who had pools large enough to accommodate 1,600 bathers at one time.

During the Middle Ages swimming fell into almost complete disuse throughout Europe because of the general belief that outdoor bathing helped spread the various epidemics that so often swept across the continent. It wasn't until the second half of the 19th century that the medieval prejudice was overcome sufficiently for aquatic activities to be resumed.

Swimming pools in Europe and the United States were first located inside natural bodies of water. Floating docks were anchored in the water, and water circulation was achieved by the natural action of the river, lake or ocean. At the beginning of the 20th century, when circulating systems were developed, the pool as we know it was born.

Terre Haute's first swimming pool was opened in the summer of 1922 in Fairbanks Park. Those in attendance that summer might very well have seen this week's historical treasure from the Historical Museum of the Wabash Valley, 1411 S. Sixth St. The one-piece man's bathing suit was worn that year by its owner, Walter Reiz of Terre Haute.

The first swimsuits in this country concealed most of the body. Men wore a dark-colored sleeveless garment reaching to the ankles or knees. In the first part of the 20th Century, men began to wear shorts without a top.

Women wore bloomers, black stockings, a dress with short sleeves and a skirt. Clinging one-piece swimsuits for women were introduced in France after World War I, and other swimsuits accessories were abandoned. The woman's two-piece suit came into use around 1935, while the notorious bikini appeared in 1947.