I'm tempted to write, "I'll be brief," but I won't. That would be too corny. Overall this is a fairly interesting and sometimes-corny Modern Marvels episode that deals with a topic near-and-dear to everyone: underwear! It is definitely a "revealing" TV program, literally; I was surprised how much skin we saw in this G-rated program, but who's complaining? It was educational.
The program dealt with men's underpants, women's bras and panties and then the socks both sexes wear. It gave a brief history of each item and we toured several plants, including Jockey, International, in Honduras, where most of the shorts are made. In fact, a million Jockey shorts a week are produced in Honduras.
In "the old days," men wore tights that were open at the crotch, "letting it all hang out," as the Modern Marvels narrator puts it. Cod pieces were then invented, and you have to see those to believe it. After that came the red Union Suit during the Civil War, which was changed to gray a few decades later. That, however, was itchy due to the wool fabric. (It might also be due to the fact many men wore it 24 hours a day all winter when it was cold!). Relief from itching came in the late 1880s when silk threads were inserted on the insides. That evolved into a two-piece outfit by 1920 and then boxer shorts became the rage. It was called that, by the way, because that was what boxers wore in the ring during their professional fights. In 1934, the "brief," as we men know them, was born. The only historical change since then was in 2006 when colored briefs finally outsold whites.
The program then shifts to the ladies and begins with pantyhose, which debuted in 1959. Before that, women wore individual stockings called "hose." Those stockings were unavailable during World War II so when the war ended, women stampeded to stores to reacquire them. We then get short histories of the girdle, corsets (ouch!), bloomers, bustles, train extenders and the brassiere, which is what they were called before being shortened to "bras." The biggest advancement in the latter came in 1927 with the unveiling of the Maidenform Bra. Nowadays, you can get a "brainy bra" that can tell you your heart rate while you exercise!
Speaking of smart underwear, in the last third of this episode were learn about moisture-managed underwear ("wicking," and the like) which helps everyone from athletes to astronauts. "Cool shirts" and fire-proof tee-shirts and a few more items are explained, too.
As in most everyday products, the advancements in recent years are just astounding. That really applies to socks, too, as we see at the end of the show. They have socks that control temperature, moisture, odor, healing and sense of well-being. Did you know that if you unraveled your average sock and laid out the yarn, it would go for about a mile?
The program dealt with men's underpants, women's bras and panties and then the socks both sexes wear. It gave a brief history of each item and we toured several plants, including Jockey, International, in Honduras, where most of the shorts are made. In fact, a million Jockey shorts a week are produced in Honduras.
In "the old days," men wore tights that were open at the crotch, "letting it all hang out," as the Modern Marvels narrator puts it. Cod pieces were then invented, and you have to see those to believe it. After that came the red Union Suit during the Civil War, which was changed to gray a few decades later. That, however, was itchy due to the wool fabric. (It might also be due to the fact many men wore it 24 hours a day all winter when it was cold!). Relief from itching came in the late 1880s when silk threads were inserted on the insides. That evolved into a two-piece outfit by 1920 and then boxer shorts became the rage. It was called that, by the way, because that was what boxers wore in the ring during their professional fights. In 1934, the "brief," as we men know them, was born. The only historical change since then was in 2006 when colored briefs finally outsold whites.
The program then shifts to the ladies and begins with pantyhose, which debuted in 1959. Before that, women wore individual stockings called "hose." Those stockings were unavailable during World War II so when the war ended, women stampeded to stores to reacquire them. We then get short histories of the girdle, corsets (ouch!), bloomers, bustles, train extenders and the brassiere, which is what they were called before being shortened to "bras." The biggest advancement in the latter came in 1927 with the unveiling of the Maidenform Bra. Nowadays, you can get a "brainy bra" that can tell you your heart rate while you exercise!
Speaking of smart underwear, in the last third of this episode were learn about moisture-managed underwear ("wicking," and the like) which helps everyone from athletes to astronauts. "Cool shirts" and fire-proof tee-shirts and a few more items are explained, too.
As in most everyday products, the advancements in recent years are just astounding. That really applies to socks, too, as we see at the end of the show. They have socks that control temperature, moisture, odor, healing and sense of well-being. Did you know that if you unraveled your average sock and laid out the yarn, it would go for about a mile?
