Swimming goggles used by Gertrude Ederle

Swimming goggles used by Gertrude Ederle

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Description (Brief)
These swimming goggles were worn by American Gertrude Ederle (1905-2003) while making her historic swim across the English Channel in August of 1926. Not only was Ederle the first woman to ever complete the feat, only five men had ever accomplished the swim, and she bested their times by almost two hours.
Called America's Best Girl by President Calvin Coolidge, Ederle returned to fame and a ticker-tape parade in New York City. The former Olympican furthered the acceptance of female athletics, helping make the 1920s America's Golden Age of Sport.
Object Name
goggles, swimming
date made
1925
user
Ederle, Gertrude
Physical Description
rubber (overall material)
leather (overall material)
metal (overall material)
fibers, synthetic (overall material)
glass (overall material)
Measurements
overall: 17 cm x 8 cm x 7 cm; 6 11/16 in x 3 1/8 in x 2 3/4 in
overall: 3 1/4 in x 6 1/2 in x 3 in; 8.255 cm x 16.51 cm x 7.62 cm
ID Number
1991.0781.01
accession number
1991.0781
catalog number
1991.0781.01
Credit Line
Gift of Gertrude C. Morrison
subject
Swimming
Sports
Women
See more items in
Culture and the Arts: Sport and Leisure
Highlights from the Culture and the Arts Collection
Exhibition
Entertainment Nation
Exhibition Location
National Museum of American History
Data Source
National Museum of American History
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Comments

"What a great feat, and the lense color is fitting for swimming and scubadiving. Thank you for sharing. Pat"

Patrick Mus

Mon, 2016-08-08 13:31

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