The Australian swim team at the 1956 Melbourne Olympics brought us into the brave new world of Speedos. The Speedo company had been around since the 1920s when they made racing onesies, followed by some two piece numbers in the 1930s. By the 40s, they'd gone topless, and the swim briefs of 1956 became iconic. Above we have the '56 Australian medley relay team, one of whom seems to be wearing an older style suit. Must not have gotten the memo . . . or payola.
And it doesn't get more Ocker than that. We owe the Aussies a very great deal, all told. Like the Routemaster omnibus and the London taxi cab, the Speedo was in fact designed in heaven and the subject of one humdinger of a revelation from the summit of Ayers Rock.
ReplyDeleteAn absolutely fabulous series, Jerry - and I know from experience just how much hard work it represents, for which we should all be very grateful. A splendid way to start the weekend.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Julian, for your kind words and your informed comments.
DeleteFrom left to right - Jon Henricks, Kevin O'Halloran, Murray Rose and Gary Chapman.
ReplyDeleteAt the 1956 Olympics the Australian men's swim team won every freestyle event and the relays, as well as setting records :)
Thanks for the IDs. Those Speedos must have helped.
Delete