Jack O’Neill founded O’Neill, the company associated with the first commercially successful wetsuit.
O’Neill began experimenting with insulating materials in California because cold Pacific water limited surfing time. His company sold neoprene-based thermal garments that allowed surfers to stay in the water longer. The business began in the early 1950s and became one of the best-known names in surfwear.
The wetsuit works by slowing heat loss from the body. Neoprene contains tiny gas bubbles that provide insulation, while a close fit limits the circulation of cold water next to the skin. Modern suits vary in thickness and construction according to water temperature and activity.
Jack O’Neill is sometimes confused with his son Pat, who is associated with the development of the surfboard leash. Jack also became known for wearing an eyepatch after a surfing accident, a detail that later became part of his public image.