These items were popularized by mechanical engineer cum (*) fashion designer Louis Reard, who named them after the explosive reaction he expected to receive.  
acques Heim used a skywriting campaign to advertise an early one of these things called the Atome.  These items were popularized in the United States when Harper's Bazaar published Suzy Parker demonstrating them.  Brigitte Bardot's use of one of these items caused an uproar when the film Manina, la fille sans voiles was released in America.  These items were popularized by mechanical engineer cum (*) fashion designer Louis Reard, who named them after the explosive reaction he expected to receive.  Jen Kessy defended her team's use of these now-optional things at the 2012 Olympics, calling them "the most comfortable thing for us to wear".  A contest named for these things was established in 1951 by Eric Morley and was quickly renamed to become the Miss World competition.  For 10 points, name this clothing advertised as "the world's smallest bathing suit".
acques Heim used a skywriting campaign to advertise an early one of these things called the Atome.  
bikini