Swim fins are essential components for bodyboarders and swimmers. It helps them get extra power output, high acceleration speed, flexibility to move the ankles and better body arrangements in the water. It serves you more fun swimming. This is an amazing invention for swimmers. One person has wondered who invented fins and how he came up with the idea for swimming fins or flippers. His answer may also surprise you if you are thinking that it is a more recent creation. The fins were designed in the 18th century by man who is involved in various things in American history, but he didn’t get credit for that. It was Leonardo da Vinci. Benjamin Franklin got credit for inventing the first swimming fin.
Benjamin Franklin’s first set of wooden swim fins. When he was 12 years old, he thought of something that would help him swim fast. Since amphibians were excellent swimmers, he first studied frogs. And he acknowledged that their webbed feet are making them faster. And he designed wooden fins. These early fins were oval shaped hand fins. There was a hole in the fins for a thumb to gently grip. However, the wooden fins were not practical to use. But it paved the way for others to think about it. Later, Owen Churchill and Frenchman Louis de Corlieu finally made changes to the basic swimming fins.
In 1935 Louis de Corlieu improved the structure of the previous wooden fins. These were foot fins made with a metal and rubber band. The shape of the fins of the feet resembles the tail of a fish. In 1940, Churchill made more shape changes and used vulcanized rubber instead of hard rubber. He was a member of the crew of the American ship “Angelita”, winner of the gold medal. He patented his new design. The United States Navy noted these swim fins and approved them for their Underwater Demolition Team. Peter Ueberroth recently The Chairman of the United States President’s Committee received special recognition from Churchill for his lifelong contribution to promoting yachting.
Many changes and improvements were made to swimming fins over time. Many companies entered the fin business, much research focused on that to improve their quality, ease of use, comfort, strength, style, design. For a better feeling of comfort, super soft silicone is used to cover the steps instead of rubber. Significant changes were made to the quality and size of the blade to obtain a powerful accelerator. As a firm rubber used for sharp edges. Variety of structured designs.
Today, we have several fins with different functionalities depending on their different style and size. Small-sized fins are generally used by new swimmers or children. It gives them extra kick speed without a lot of exercise. Swimmers use oversized swim fins for high performance in the waves. Speedo Swim Fins with the cooperation of NASA and great swimmers designed the fastest swimsuits in the world. Michael Phelps and Natalie Coughlin set 23 world records at the Beijing Olympics wearing Speedo Fastskin LZR Racer.