The bikini is named after a nuclear test site

The bikini is named after a nuclear test site. In 1946, the designer Louis Reard unveiled his tiny two-piece in Paris, just days after the United States began atomic tests at Bikini Atoll in the Pacific. He took the name hoping his swimsuit would cause the same kind of shockwave. A garment named for the atomic age, whatever you make of that.

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The post, as it ran

01THE BIKINI IS NAMED AFTER A NUCLEAR TEST SITE.

02IN 1946, LOUIS REARD UNVEILED HIS TINY TWO-PIECE IN PARIS.

03JUST DAYS AFTER THE US BEGAN ATOMIC TESTS AT BIKINI ATOLL IN THE PACIFIC.

04HE TOOK THE NAME HOPING HIS SWIMSUIT WOULD CAUSE THE SAME KIND OF SHOCKWAVE.

05A GARMENT NAMED FOR THE ATOMIC AGE.

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