Speedo is the world's principal competitive swim wear designer and manufacturer.

The Powerhouse Museum has an extensive collection of Speedo swim wear and accessories dating from the 1930's to the present, including designs produced for the Australian Olympic team from 1964, the Australian Commonwealth Games team from 1970 as well as designs produced for several international Olympic teams in the 1960s. This collection is complemented by the Speedo archive comprising Speedo catalogues, scrap books, posters, photographs, newsletters, price lists, stickers, and badges. This collection of swim wear updates the Museum's Speedo holdings with the latest designs for competitive swim wear for the 2002 Commonwealth Games in Manchester and the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens.

For each Olympic Games Speedo produced a range of Official merchandise including swimsuits that can be purchased by the public to commemorate the Olympic Games. When signed by Olympic swimmers the merchandise is also used by Speedo as gifts.

These garments were made to correspond with the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games.

Alexander MacRae established MacRae Hosiery in Sydney in 1914, initially manufacturing knitted undergarments and later expanding into swim wear and mens and women's knitted leisure wear. The companies name changed to Speedo in the late 1920s following a staff competition to find a name for their race wear, for which Captain Parsonson came up with the catchy phrase 'Speed on in your Speedos' .

By the 1970s Speedo was best known for its competitive swim wear and was designing and making swimsuits for Olympic competitors from all over the world. Their aim was always to improve swimmers speed and the Powerhouse Museum collection illustrates the design and technological innovations that mark the evolution of competitive swim wear.

Swimsuits and briefs (4), men's and women's, Speedo International, nylon/elastane, designed and made by Speedo International as Official Licensed Merchandise for the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games, made in Australia, signed by Australian Olympic swimmers Suzie O'Neil, Grant Hackett, Michael Klim and Matthew Dunn, Australia, 2000

Women's one piece swimsuit in blue nylon/elastane with racer back, signed on front by Suzie O'Neil.

Mens brief in blue nylon/elastane with green and white panel at left hip featuring Speedo arrow logo. Signed by Grant Hackett.

Mens brief in blue nylon/elastane with green and white panel at left hip featuring Speedo arrow logo. Signed by Michael Klimt.

Mens brief in blue nylon/elastane with green and white panel at left hip featuring Speedo arrow logo. Signed by Matthew Dunn.

Made: Speedo International Limited; Australia; 2000

Suzie O'Neil suit: Printed in green on centre front 'Australia' text, Australian flag and Olympic rings. printed at left front Speedo arrow logo.

Grant Hackett suit: Printed at right front 'Australia' text, Australian flag and Olympic rings. printed at left front Speedo arrow logo.

Michael Klimt suit: Printed at right front 'Australia' text, Australian flag and Olympic rings. printed at left front Speedo arrow logo.

Matthew Dunn suit: Printed at right front 'Australia' text, Australian flag and Olympic rings. printed at left front Speedo arrow logo.

2005/78/3

2000