| Annette Kellerman's Bathing Suit | |
|---|---|
| |
|
Origin |
Annette Kellerman |
|
Type |
One-piece bathing suit |
|
Effects |
User has fish-like abilities |
|
Downsides |
Lasts strictly for 10.5 hours |
|
Activation |
Wearing |
|
Collected by |
Sandy Calecer |
|
Section |
|
|
Aisle |
61886-1975 |
|
Shelf |
24819-0519-071 |
|
Date of Collection |
6 October 2014 |
| [Source] | |
Origins[]
Annette Kellerman (6 July 1886 - 6 November 1975) was an Austrailian professional swimmer and actress that dazzled audiences with her incredible grace, personality, and looks.
Developing with weak legs, Kellerman was forced to wear metal braces between the ages of six and thirteen. During this time, she was enrolled in swimming lessons to help train her body. She was a fast pupil, and began swimming, diving, and racing in competition by 1902.
Kellerman was a pioneer figure in history for many reasons - not only was she one of the first women to attempt crossing the English Channel, she was also trained in ballet dancing, singing, and tightrope walking. Her endurance and dexterity helped create synchronized swimming and the first popular water ballet shows.
But Kellerman is probably best recognized for her efforts in women's rights. Prior to Kellerman's influence, women were forced to wear modest swimsuits that more resembled dresses that anything. If a woman was found wearing a suit that was "too revealing" the woman was fined. Kellerman, who found these suits limiting when she was trying to swim, wore this bathing suit in 1907 in Boston before she was arrested.
Her popularity allowed to promote these scandalous swimsuits, and she embraced the feminine figure both in her swimming as well as her movies - she was the first major actress to appear in a nude scene (Daughter of the Gods, 1916), and often was the star in silent films about mermaids, named after her. Unfortunately, many of her films have been lost to the ages.
Effects[]
Wearing Kellerman's swim suit, which conforms to the mold of the body, gives the wearer fish-like abilities, including the ability to breathe underwater, lengthened endurance, and full spatial awareness.
Unfortunately, these benefits only last for ten hours and thirty minutes - the amount of time Kellerman spent in the water during her last attempt to swim the English Channel.
Agents are warned that, like artifacts that create personalized flight, the effects of this artifact can be addicting.