![How the Summer of Atomic Bomb Testing Turned the Bikini Into a Phenomenon | At the Smithsonian| Smithsonian Magazine How the Summer of Atomic Bomb Testing Turned the Bikini Into a Phenomenon | At the Smithsonian| Smithsonian Magazine](https://th-thumbnailer.cdn-si-edu.com/xGHFo_ymx3DuZjN23inzV-MbZvE=/800x800/filters:focal(541x86:542x87)/https://tf-cmsv2-smithsonianmag-media.s3.amazonaws.com/filer/99/ee/99ee0cb4-117d-4528-a0e3-6a5e2285a164/be064855web.jpg)
How the Summer of Atomic Bomb Testing Turned the Bikini Into a Phenomenon | At the Smithsonian| Smithsonian Magazine
FIDM Museum - Parlez-vous bikini? It's #BikiniDay, and while a scanty swimsuit nowadays barely raises an eyebrow, that hasn't always been the case. In 1946, two French designers—Jacques Heim and Louis Réard—both
![Ava Gardner on X: "Although two-piece bathing suits were around in the 1930s, the modern bikini design is commonly dated to this day in 1946 and attributed to French engineer Louis Réard. Ava Gardner on X: "Although two-piece bathing suits were around in the 1930s, the modern bikini design is commonly dated to this day in 1946 and attributed to French engineer Louis Réard.](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/D-vexe5WwAAaKtH.jpg)
Ava Gardner on X: "Although two-piece bathing suits were around in the 1930s, the modern bikini design is commonly dated to this day in 1946 and attributed to French engineer Louis Réard.
![July 5, 1946: The Bikini Was Introduced and Soon Became a Summer Staple for American Women - Lifetime July 5, 1946: The Bikini Was Introduced and Soon Became a Summer Staple for American Women - Lifetime](https://cropper.watch.aetnd.com/cdn.watch.aetnd.com/sites/5/2018/06/Bikini.jpg)
July 5, 1946: The Bikini Was Introduced and Soon Became a Summer Staple for American Women - Lifetime
![The changing style of bikinis, at a launch of a book by Pedro Silman celebrating 40 years of the bikini at Harrods, left to right - Julie Jackson in the first version The changing style of bikinis, at a launch of a book by Pedro Silman celebrating 40 years of the bikini at Harrods, left to right - Julie Jackson in the first version](https://c8.alamy.com/comp/GB1RD6/the-changing-style-of-bikinis-at-a-launch-of-a-book-by-pedro-silman-GB1RD6.jpg)