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Men's 1964 United States of America Olympic swimming trunks

Maker Speedo International Ltd

Date1964

Object number00019022

NameSwimsuit

MediumNylon, cotton

DimensionsOverall: 300 x 330 mm, 0.05 kg
Clothing size: 34

ClassificationsClothing and personal items

Credit LineANMM Collection Gift from Speedo International Ltd

Terms

DescriptionThese 'Jetstream' swimming trunks feature a design based on the 1964 United States Olympic swimming team 'panel' style trunks, and were produced in Australia by Speedo. They have a blue gauze gusset, red and blue cotton seams and a white nylon cord draw string waist. 1964 was the first year in which the United States team design incorporated panels of different colours. In this adaptation of the official uniform, a vertical panel of white has been inserted between the blue front and red back panels. Previously competitors had worn costumes in solid colours.HistoryIn 1955 Speedo introduced nylon into its competitive swimwear range. The 1956 Olympics in Melbourne saw the widespread use of the new fabric, as well as a change in men's swimwear design. At the 1964 Tokyo Olympic Games the Federation Internationale de Natation (FINA) allowed men to swim skirtless. At this time trunks were still to the waist with 20cm side seams. The development of Speedo's brief design followed the competition guidelines dictated by FINA. The process of lowering the waist and raising the leg line was a slow, though by 1972 FINA had allowed men to swim in suits with 5 cm side seams. The US Olympic team wore Speedo for the first time in 1964. The 'White Stag' Speedo line was selected on merit by the US Olympic swimming committee for all the 1964 and 1968 US Olympic swimmers and water polo players.SignificanceProduced as a stock item, these trunks demonstrate the influence of Olympic team designs on Speedo's commercial swimwear ranges. The design was released world wide for general sale after the Olympic Games in October 1964.