It started with spandex, an ingenious “expansion” anagram developed by DuPont chemist Joseph Shivers.
In 1922, Johnny Weissmuller gained fame for playing Tarzan in the movie. He completed the 100-meter freestyle in 58.6 seconds in less than a minute, shocking the sports world. No one cared or noticed what kind of swimsuit he was wearing. It is simple cotton. It is in sharp contrast with the high-tech suit worn by American Caleb Drexel who won the gold medal in 47.02 seconds at the Tokyo Olympics!
Of course, during the 100 years, training methods have changed, although Weissmuller does emphasize lifestyle. He became a passionate follower of Dr. John Harvey Kellogg’s vegetarian diet, enema and exercise. Dressel is not a vegetarian. He likes meatloaf and starts his day with a high-carb breakfast. The real difference is in training. Drexel conducts online interactive personal training on rowing machines and stationary bicycles. But there is no doubt that his swimsuit also makes a difference. Of course not the value of 10 seconds, but when today’s top swimmers are separated by a fraction of a second, the fabric and style of the swimsuit become very important.
Any discussion about swimsuit technology must start with the miracle of spandex. Spandex is a synthetic material that can stretch like rubber and magically return to its original shape. But unlike rubber, it can be produced in the form of fibers and can be woven into fabrics. Spandex is a clever “expansion” anagram developed by DuPont chemist Joseph Schiffer under the guidance of William Chachi, who is famous for inventing waterproof cellophane by coating the material with a layer of nitrocellulose . Innovating sportswear was not Shivers’ original intention. At that time, waistbands made of rubber were a common part of women’s clothing, but the demand for rubber was in short supply. The challenge was to develop a synthetic material that could be used for waistbands as an alternative.
DuPont has introduced polymers such as nylon and polyester to the market and has extensive expertise in the synthesis of macromolecules. Shivers produces spandex by synthesizing “block copolymers” with alternating elastic and rigid segments. There are also branches that can be used to “crosslink” molecules to give strength. The result of combining spandex with cotton, linen, nylon or wool is a material that is elastic and comfortable to wear. As many companies began to produce this fabric, DuPont applied for a patent for its version of spandex under the name “Lycra”.
In 1973, East German swimmers wore spandex swimsuits for the first time, breaking records. This may be more related to their use of steroids, but it makes Speedo’s competitive gear turn. Founded in 1928, the company is a science-based swimsuit manufacturer, replacing cotton with silk in its “Racerback” swimsuits to reduce resistance. Now, driven by the success of the East Germans, Speedo switched to coating spandex with Teflon, and shaped tiny V-shaped ridges like shark skin on the surface, which is said to reduce turbulence.
By 2000, this had evolved into a full-body suit that further reduced resistance, as water was found to adhere to the skin more firmly than swimsuit materials. In 2008, strategically placed polyurethane panels replaced polytetrafluoroethylene. This fabric now composed of Lycra, nylon and polyurethane was found to trap tiny air pockets that make swimmers float. The advantage here is that the air resistance is less than the water resistance. Some companies try to use pure polyurethane suits because this material absorbs air very effectively. With each of these “breakthroughs”, time decreases and prices rise. A high-tech suit may now cost more than $500.
The term “technical stimulants” invaded our vocabulary. In 2009, the International Swimming Administration (FINA) decided to balance the field and ban all full-body swimsuits and any swimsuits made of non-woven fabrics. This has not stopped the race to improve suits, although the number of body surfaces they can cover is now limited. For the Tokyo Olympics, Speedo launched another innovative suit made of three layers of different fabrics, whose identity is proprietary information.
Spandex is not limited to swimwear. Skiers, like cyclists, squeeze in a smooth spandex suit to reduce air resistance. Women’s underwear still accounts for a large part of the business, and spandex even makes it into leggings and jeans, squeezing the body in the right position to hide unwelcome bumps. As far as swimming innovation is concerned, maybe the contestants will only spray their naked bodies with a certain polymer to eliminate any swimsuit resistance! After all, the first Olympians competed naked.
Joe Schwarcz is the director of McGill University’s Office of Science and Society (mcgill.ca/oss). He hosts The Dr. Joe Show on CJAD Radio 800 AM every Sunday from 3 to 4 pm
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Post time: Oct-22-2021