Men's 1964 West German Olympic team-inspired swimming trunks
Maker
Speedo International Ltd
Date1964
Object number00019002
NameSwimsuit
MediumBri-nylon, cotton
DimensionsOverall: 320 x 320 mm, 0.03 kg
Clothing size: 34
Clothing size: 34
ClassificationsClothing and personal items
Credit LineANMM Collection Gift from Speedo International Ltd
DescriptionThese men's swimming trunks, featuring the 1964 West German Olympic swimming team uniform design, were produced in Australia under license from Speedo. The fully lined black nylon trunks have a drawstring waist and both the Speedo 'arrow' logo and a cloth badge with the West German national emblem sewn onto the front. Speedo first released commercial ranges of the designs they produced for various national Olympic teams in the 1960s.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 changes in men's swimwear design.
The development of Speedo's 'brief' swimming trunk design followed the competition guidelines dictated by FINA. At the 1964 Tokyo Olympic Games the Federation Internationale de Natation (FINA) allowed men to swim skirtless for the first time. This revolutionary step spelt the end of swimming trunks with 20cm side seams. However, lowering the waist and raising the leg line was a slow process. At the 1972 Munich Olympics FINA allowed men to swim in trunks with 5cm side seams.
SignificanceProduced as a stock item, these swimming trunks demonstrate the influence of Olympic team designs on Speedo's commercial swimwear ranges in the 1960s.Canterbuury, under license from Speedo
1964