A Brief History of the Sweatshirt
The sweatshirt (or simply ‘sweat’) was created by Benjamin Russell in 1926. The Russel Corporation was founded in Alabama in 1902. The business started life by producing underwear for men and women.
Benjamin’s son Bertie began playing football at the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa. Bertie complained to his father about the football shirts They were made from wool and when damp became itchy which in turn caused discomfort for the players.
Bertie came-up with the idea of using the underwear garment material as football shirts. Being familiar with the garments produced at the factory Bertie suggested this would make excellent football shirts. Benjamin decided to give it a go and history was in the making.
Football players loved the new material - it had many benefits for them, not least of which was comfort. Bertie sold the concept to other clubs and the new shirts quickly became very popular.
The firm increased production and expanded the range of markets selling the product to track athletics teams and baseball clubs.
{The Russell company graduallybecame the preferred sports shirt supply company by forming Russell Athletic in 1932.|In response to this success the Russell company formed Russell Athletic, an athletics association in 1932 firmly establishing the Russell brand in the sport.
The sweatshirt stepped out of the world of track teams and baseball clubs establishing itself as an ubiquitous high-street clothing item with attention from major design labels such as G Star Sweat.
