Corn Swimsuit

June 1955: The U.S. Agricultural Research Service put on a fashion show for members of President Eisenhower's Agricultural Advisory Commission in which they showed off the "newest refinement" developed by their scientists — a swimsuit made out of corn. They boasted that the suit was mildew resistant, moth-proof, and "won't dissolve in water." They recruited Betty Richter, a "corn-fed girl from Maryland," to model the swimsuit for the members of the Advisory Commission.

The Research Service scientists had, in addition, created an "apron made of hog lard," which Richter also modeled, but I can't find any pictures of the hog-lard apron.

Santa Cruz Sentinel - June 30, 1955

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Posted By: Alex - Tue Mar 01, 2016
Category: Fashion | 1950s

Comments

How did she even qualify; Maryland ain't in the corn belt!

Posted by Expat47 in Athens, Greece on 03/01/16 at 10:02 AM

Did the suit have to be treated periodically for boll weevils, corn earworms and moths?

Posted by KDP on 03/01/16 at 03:51 PM

For a while there, we considered "Hog Lard Aprons" as our punk-rock band, but it folded quickly.
Expat47, Maryland is SOUTH of the Mason-Dixon Line, which makes everyone here call you Y'ALL and say HON.

Posted by Greg on 03/01/16 at 07:10 PM

But it still ain't the corn belt, y'all.

Posted by Expat47 in Athens, Greece on 03/01/16 at 11:27 PM

Being from the midwest all I know is I'd see if she wanted to play corn hole :cheese:
More than the south can rise again even at our age eh Expat ?

Posted by BrokeDad in Midwest US on 03/02/16 at 03:22 AM

Don´t matter if it´s Dixie or the cornbelt you´re still going to find lowlifes that call people HON

Posted by F.U.D. on 03/02/16 at 03:32 AM

You know, BD, Patty maybe could get a rise out of me but.... well... :D

Posted by Expat47 in Athens, Greece on 03/02/16 at 08:33 AM

Now lets be careful guys, the moral majority might be lurking out there and attempt to shut down WU for comment like above.

Posted by Gator Guy on 03/02/16 at 07:35 PM

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