Acknowledgements

Writing this book on the history of Spandex was unlike any of the writing experiences Id had
with my previous nine books. My area of interest is Shakespeare studies, particularly the
authorship question (see my last book on Shakespeares Sonnets titled The Bards Little
Ditties), and certainly English Literature is where my expertise lies. But it was pointed out
that after having published hundreds of thousands of words on Elizabethan Drama and the
Victorian Novel, a well-written and seriously researched history of polyester-polyurethane
copolymer was the proper next move for me.
I began this project believing that my thirty years at the University of Minnesota as
the Roy. E. Knight University Professor of English would have prepared me well for writing
about womens workout apparel. It did not. I have many people to thank for research
guidance, early draft reviews, criticisms, suggestions, and moral support. I learned from my
last book that convention dictates that I thank my wife of thirty-five years. Thanks.
The real driving force behind the completion of this history was my editor, Ms.
Greene. Kelly is an older soulcompassionate and wise but with a still sharp and energetic
wit, not beveled and dustyinside the tight and loving body of a twenty-five year old,
blonde haired, blue-eyed woman. Kelly was the one who first suggested I stop my research
on the mathematical life of Lewis Carroll and instead write about Spandex, and that I write
about it from the beginning of the Spandex revolution in the 1950s. Our daily meetings and
nightly phone calls about things only Spandex related was the best part of the project.
Thank you so much, Kell. I dedicate this book to you.
A history of a product does not begin at the beginning when that beginning is not
really the beginning, to be sure. It starts with the scientists, product managers, testers, and
marketing teams. Spandex is no different. The library at the University of Minnesota is,
unfortunately, woefully inadequate for Spandex research. There are simply not enough
volumes to sustain a full history of this incredible rubber product. Helping me out of this
predicament were the librarians and graduate assistants at New York Universitys fashion
library. They helped me find the right materials so I could complete the largest portion of
the book: Aerobic Dance to Yoga, Headband to Soft MatHow Spandex Came To Dominate
Our Lives.
Many colleagues wondered throughout the writing of this book if Id lost my mind.
They doubted that a history of Spandex needed to be written, and most certainly questioned
the wisdom of my participation. I was given support, financially and emotionally, by the John
Simon Guggenheim Memorial Foundation. It was the foundations suggestion that I write the

book from the Virgin Islands. I spent many happy summers in the Islands speaking with
locals about Spandex, yoga, and life.