The Evolution of the Wet Suit

The wetsuit has existed since the early 1950s. Developers such as Hugh Bradner, and Jack O’Neill acted as pioneers, and a number of people have taken up the torch of development and innovation.

The first wetsuits were primitive by today’s standards. They consisted of untreated panels of neoprene, with no inner lining. The first wetsuits had to be powdered with talc, and even then they quickly became sticky and were easily torn.

Eventually nylon inner linings were used to decrease the overall stickiness of the suit, but nylon’s natural stiffness decreased the flexibility of the wetsuit. However, in the early 1970’s, something akin to modern wetsuits came into existence. Double-backed neoprene, sandwiched between two layers of fabric, was the innovation that led to increased durability and flexibility.

During the late 1980s and the 1990s, innovations were brought to the table by various companies, including Body Glove Wetsuits. Zipperless suits, the use of spandex and Lycra and thermoplastic became commonplace in the diving world. The use of titanium thread in the wetsuit lining was used to reflect back the body’s heat. Given the innovations that have already occurred, chances are tomorrow will bring even more.