Who invented the wetsuit?

Question

Who invented the wetsuit?

Answer 1

Very good answers, I had not heard of Bradner.  I always thought the French oceanographer, Jacques Cousteau, was responsible.  Live and learn I guess!

Answer 2

Lloyd Bridges from Sea Hunt series!

Answer 3

Hugh Bradner

Answer 4

Mr Latex.

Answer 5

someone who wanted to stay warm in cold water

Answer 6

It is difficult to credit a single individual for the creation of the modern wetsuit. In 1951, while working for the US Navy, Hugh Bradner had the insight that a thin layer of trapped water could act as an insulator. It was a colleague of Bradner who suggested neoprene as a feasible material. However, Bradner was not overly interested in profiting from his design and never marketed a version to the public; nor did he patent his design. The first written documentation of Bradner's invention was in a letter dated June 21, 1951.

Traditionally, most say it was Jack O'Neill (businessman) who invented the wetsuit and started using neoprene, which he found lining the floor of an airliner. However, this is disputed by some aviation experts because neoprene and other rubbers are not fire retardant; therefore, they would not be found on any passenger aircraft. O'Neill went on to found the successful wetsuit manufacturing company called O'Neill. But Bob and Bill Meistrell, from Manhattan Beach, California, claim to have started experimenting with neoprene around 1953. Their company would later be named Body Glove.

Answer 7

WHO WANTS HIS/HER BODY KEEP WET EVERYTIME