Goggles (and hat) were first used in competition in 1970 by Breaststroker David Wilkie. David’s decision was considered as odd, no one understood the need of hat and goggles in competition. By the 90’s, every swimmer was wearing a pair of goggles, they became the new normal, the new fashion. Today goggles are worn by everyone for their useful design qualities. Goggles were once unusual funny looking accessories but over the past 40 years they have become the second most used swimming accessory, the swimming costume being the first.
Swimming goggles have many brilliant design features:
1. They allow you to see underwater
3. Follow the shape of your face
4. Prevent your eyes getting sore from the chlorine
5. Allows you to judge where the wall is (spatial awareness)