BVD

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Infobox_Company
company_name = BVD
company_
company_type = Subsidiary
owner = Berkshire Hathaway
foundation = 1876
location = United States
industry = underwear
products = underwear
homepage = http://www.bvd.com/

BVD is a brand of men's underwear, which are commonly referred to as "BVDs." BVD stands for Bradley, Voorhees & Day, the New York City firm that initially manufactured underwear of this name for both men and women. BVD is now only for men. It was founded in 1876 and named for its three founders.cite web|url=http://www.bvd.com/|title=Fruit of the Loom - BVD|accessdate=28-07-2008]

History

BVD first manufactured bustles for women. They then became famous for their men's union suits made of heavy knitted fabric. In 1908, that bulky and tight fitting garment was turned into a new kind of loose fitting underwear. They went on to introduce a two-piece and the popular union suit.Fact|date=July 2008

They introduced a lightweight waffle-like fabric with the advertising slogan, "Next to Myself I Like BVD Best."

At the beginning of the 1930s BVD was purchased by the Atlas Underwear company located in Piqua, Ohio. During the Great Depression they were successful in manufacturing swimsuits for men, women and children. They patented their own fabric, Sea Satin, a rayon woven satin backed with latex for stretch. They also used knits of cotton, wool and Rayon, and cellophane.Their swimsuits featured in major fashion magazines and high fashion stores. Styles included form fitting maillots as well as full skirted swimsuits. They offered suits for men with detachable tops. In 1929, Olympic swimmer Johnny Weissmuller, who went on to become the most famous Tarzan in motion pictures, was hired as a model and representative. He was featured at swim shows throughout the country wearing the BVD brand of swimsuits, handing out leaflets and giving autographs.Fact|date=July 2008

In 1951, the brand was purchased by Superior Mills. BVD was first to start packaging underwear in plastic bags for the mass market. In the 1960s and 1970s, they started introducing sportops, a pocket T-shirt, and fashionable underwear made of nylon.Fact|date=July 2008

In 1976, BVD was purchased by Fruit of the Loom, which brought the brand to a worldwide market.Fact|date=July 2008 On April 9, 2002, Berkshire Hathaway purchased Fruit of the Loom. [cite web|url=http://www.berkshirehathaway.com/news/apr3002.html|title=Acquisition of Fruit of the Loom Apparel Business Completed|accessdate=-28-07-2008]

The term "BVDs" has become, over time, a genericized trademark in reference to any brand of underwear.Fact|date=October 2008

In pop culture

*BVD was a sponsor of New Japan Pro Wrestling for many years in Japan in the mid 1990's, as their logo was placed on the wrestling mat in the ring.Fact|date=July 2008

Other languages

In Ecuadorian and Peruvian Spanish, the term bividí (pronounced like the English initials) is an eponym for a man's sleeveless underwear T-shirt.Fact|date=July 2008

References