University of California, Berkeley physicist Hugh Bradner invented the modern wetsuit in 1952, using neoprene foam to trap a layer of water next to the skin, which is warmed by body heat. Initially developed for the US Navy, Bradner's invention was soon commercialized by surfers like Jack O'Neill, revolutionizing water sports and extending the range of underwater activities.

The wetsuit, a simple yet profound innovation, democratized access to the underwater world, allowing people to stay comfortable in cold water for extended periods. This invention fueled the growth of recreational diving and surfing, inspiring a new wave of nature writing and poetry that celebrated the intimate connection between the human body and the ocean, from the surf poetry of the Beat Generation to the contemporary ecopoetics of writers like Gary Snyder.