PUBLISHED 09/15/2006
1977: The Jogbra
By Kelly Bastone
Breakthrough: Made running more comfortable for half the population
"Why isn't there a jockstrap for women?" demanded Hinda Miller and Lisa Lindahl, runners so frustrated with bouncing chests and runaway bra straps that in 1977 they stitched their own solution: the Jogbra, a synthesis of two jockstraps into one Frankensteinian creation that revolutionized women's athletics.
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| ©Tara Striano |
Their company, Jogbra, Inc. (later bought by Champion), launched commercial sports-bra production. As more players entered the fledgling industry, suppliers experimented with novel configurations that looked nothing like lingerie--witness the Damon bra, which included leg loops, and the Lady Duke, a sporting corset that might've also stopped bullets. Thankfully, the '80s aerobic dancing craze established the popularity of colorful, Lycra sports bras similar to today's designs--only now, the newest models include such high-tech features as seamless construction to eliminate chafing and synthetic fabrics for superior moisture management.
Fresh Thinking: Next year, Champion will debut the Vapor Sports Bra, featuring Cocona fabric technology, a superwicking, odor-squelching, UV-protective material made from the active carbon in--really--coconut shells.
1984: Oakley Eyeshades
By Kelly Bastone
Breakthrough: Gave runners their own form of eye protection
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| Courtesy Oakley |
Mountaineers had glacier glasses, skiers had goggles, but runners were stuck with heavy, metal-framed sunglasses that bounced and slid--until 1984, when Oakley released Eyeshades, the first pair of sunglasses designed for runners. Its plastic lenses and frames were superlight, its rubber nose pieces and ear socks eliminated slippage, and the wraparound styling enhanced peripheral vision and sun protection.
Fresh Thinking: Oakley's 2004 Thump featured a built-in MP3 player. At the Ironman World Championship this month, the company plans to unveil a new model with a lens that improves eye protection and minimizes distortion caused by sweat.
