Did you know that a man invented leotards? I would have never guessed that. Because many of us at iUniversity Prep are gymnasts, dancers, figure skaters, etc., we all have the pleasure of wearing a “leo” every day.  For those of you that do not know what a leotard is, it is a skin-tight garment covering your torso. It helps keep anyone wearing it from being too hot and it helps keep people aerodynamic for some sports.

Mr. Jules Leotard, a Frenchman born in 1842, invented this garment.  He was a famous flying trapeze artist and his father owned a gym where he trained his son.  Mr. Leotard was a master of the parallel bars but decided he liked flying through the air more than gymnastics.  He once performed a 12-minute somersault act in the air over guests that were having dinner. He traveled all over to perform his trapeze acts.  Mr. Leotard died when he was 28 from an infectious disease, but his legacy continues.

Back in the 1880s, the leotard was used mostly for circus acts. The leotard was a hit on Broadway when it was the preferred garment in the 1920s. During the 1950s the leotard remained in style. Surprisingly, the ballet community did not adopt the leotard until the 1960s. By the 1970s the leotard needed an update, and leotards with brighter colors and more glam were introduced. By this time the leotard was commonly worn for exercising, aerobic activities, and sometimes on the streets!

For anyone who has to wear a leotard, we are thankful for the invention, and happy Mr. Leotard invented this garment.