Lynn Sherr's book "Swim: Why we Love the Water"
 

There's a new book by Lynn Sherr on why we like to swim. It's not a 'how to swim better' book, but about its lore and appeal. There are some sections on swimwear and history -- mostly about girls' suits, but an interesting bit on Speedo's UK AquaLab that develops new suits -- including a new paper suit that's woven (not knit) and a discussion of the irony of long-john look for competitors while the general trend has been towards minimal swimwear.

Lea Mills 1784
 

John Smedley, co-founder of the company*, thought to be the origin of the description Long Johns which he made (although some argue for the regular costume of boxer John Sullivan at the time).

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_tkrYw-MBRN...a1f39b63_z.jpg


*near Matlock Derbyshire England - and claims to be the longest running factory manufacturing in the world as they produce designer knitwear to this day