Women's appearance in public in swimsuits did not happen before the early twentieth century.Bathing had long been unpopular in Europe and America,and immersion in seawater did not become an acceptable activity until the early nineteenth century,and then only for health reasons.A bathing beauty contest had been held in Rehoboth Beach,Delaware, US,in 1880,but as this was a working class beach resort,this kind of contest only became widespread after the turn of the century.The prevalence of Victorian dress codes did not allow for the development of the tight,one-piece bathing suit before the early 20th century.One of its creators,a professional American swimmer,Annette Kellerman,was arrested when she appeared in public in the swimsuit.Eventually, all things came together in 1921,when the first Miss America contest was staged in Atlantic City.So as not to offend public morals,the sensual aspects of the contest were obscured etc.Kit:Summer Fun by Linda Cumberland