The bikini is 60 today. The bikini, a women's swimsuit composed of two pieces, was introduced in Paris on this date in 1946. It took two to design the bikini: Louis Réard, engineer, and Jacques Heim, designer. It was named after Bikini Atoll where a nuclear test was performed July 1 because this suit would cause a "burst of excitement."
The bikini was accepted in France, but it took America years to decide to wear such a scandalous suit, as evidenced by Ester Williams' quote.
"A bikini is a thoughtless act." ~ Esther WilliamsTo see Magnum Photos collection of pictures of bikinis designed 60 years ago, click here.
