1929: Woman uses flooded village to model new bathing suit

 By 
Alex Arbuckle
 on 
Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Flipboard
1929: Woman uses flooded village to model new bathing suit
Credit: Image: Planet News Archive/SSPL/Getty Images

Swimming the flood

A waterlogged tour of a quaint English village

Alex Q. Arbuckle

Dec. 2, 1929

Mashable Image
Credit: Planet News Archive/SSPL/Getty Images

In November and December 1929, a prolonged stretch of heavy rain caused significant flooding along portions of the Thames River. A news photographer covering the floods in Middlesex ran into teenage Hilda Harding, who was visiting friends in the area.An avid swimmer, Harding had made an attempt at swimming the English Channel on Aug. 30, 1927, and in 1928 had demonstrated a prototype “unsinkable” bathing costume with inflatable air bladders.Dressed in her bathing costume, Harding posed for the photographer, swimming and walking around the flooded streets, and even rescuing a stranded cat.

Mashable Image
Credit: Planet News Archive/SSPL/Getty Images
Mashable Image
Credit: Planet News Archive/SSPL/Getty Images
Mashable Image
Harding poses in front of a house. The photographer has evidently altered the photograph to remove background details such as the two plants behind her. Credit: Planet News Archive/SSPL/Getty Images
Mashable Image
Harding rescues a cat stranded amid the floodwaters. Credit: Planet News Archive/SSPL/Getty Images
Mashable Image
Hilda Harding poles a boat through a flooded neighborhood. Credit: Planet News Archive/SSPL/Getty Images
Mashable Image
Credit: Planet News Archive/SSPL/Getty Images
The biggest stories of the day delivered to your inbox.
These newsletters may contain advertising, deals, or affiliate links. By clicking Subscribe, you confirm you are 16+ and agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Thanks for signing up. See you at your inbox!