Who Invented Swimming Flippers

The Original Swimming Flippers

Credited with many inventions, including some of the greatest works of art of all time, Leonardo da Vinci played around with the concept of creating swimming flippers, but he's not the one who gets the credit for their actual creation!

The first set of swimming fins were made by Benjamin Franklin, and he gets the credit for inventing them. Originally made out of wood, they are obviously a far cry from the advanced material swimming fins are made of today. However, the basic premise was there and was eventually improved upon by people like American Owen Churchill and Frenchman Louis de Corlieu.

More on Who Invented Swimming Flippers and Why

As mentioned previously, the historical figure credited with inventing the swimming flipper is none other than Benjamin Franklin. For anyone who has ever studied history, you know that Ben Franklin was a prolific inventor who contributed to fields as diverse as literature and physical science.

At the young age of twelve, Ben Franklin wanted to invent something that would make him swim faster. Studying frogs, he first thought the amphibians were such good swimmers because of their long legs, but it didn’t take him long to realize that it was actually their webbed feet that made frogs so graceful and quick in the water. Thus, his idea for swimming flippers was born.

Although his original design of wooden flippers wasn’t very practical, he set the invention in motion for others to improve upon it. He also might not have envisioned the way his flippers would evolve and how beneficial they would prove to humans swimming underwater, but then again, he was truly a man ahead of his time.

Other useful Ben Franklin inventions include:

• The Franklin stove, which is used for heating a room. This was better than using the fireplace to heat an entire room because much of the heat leaves through the chimney.
• Bifocals
• The odometer

The Usefulness of Flippers

Underwater divers and other aquatic enthusiasts appreciate the usefulness of swimming flippers, or fins, every time they take a dip. The flippers are beneficial for increasing:

• Kick strength
• Ankle flexibility
• Speed

Swimmers who don flippers also work a greater number of leg muscles. While they don't provide much benefit for pool swimming, flippers are great to have on hand for swimming in the ocean, especially if you plan on diving! Human feet provide poor propulsion, so fins help move the body through the water; this is a big help when a diver is carrying equipment that creates drag.

Who Wears Swim Flippers?

The people who participate in the following activities may not know who invented swimming flippers, but they enjoy the invention all the same because it makes their jobs or hobbies that much easier. Some of these activities include:

• Snorkelers: The snorkeler prefers a lightweight, flexible swimming flipper that won’t weigh her down.
• Scuba divers: Divers require large, wide fins to help them move underwater and overcome the water resistance caused by heavy equipment.
• Lifeguards: Although many lifeguards don’t wear fins, for those who do, having a light, small fin is important for more effortless walking along the beach.
• Body surfers: Like lifeguards, body surfers prefer small, lighter fins to prevent awkward movement on land.

Good Ideas Rarely Go Out of Style

While the history of swimming goes back well before Ben Franklin’s time, his simple idea for swim fins has revolutionized water sports, and is constantly improved upon today. This is just one example of how an idea can come to fruition and benefit people indefinitely. It also illustrates how surprising and enjoyable it can be to learn about history!