NgoJuni 30, 1946, ibhomu le-athomu laqhuma e-Bikini Atoll ePacific Ocean. Ezinsukwini ezingu-18 kamuva, umFulentshi ogama lakhe lingu-Louis reard wethula i-top style ye-bra kanye ne-swimsuit yesikhindi. Ngalolo suku waqasha intombazane eyayishayela ucingo njengemodela futhi wabonisa umsebenzi wakhe endaweni yokubhukuda yomphakathi. Ngemva kwesonto, i-bikini yaduma eYurophu.

Abasunguli be-bikini kwakungamadoda amabili amaFulentshi, uJacques Heim noLouis reard. Kodwa babengebona abokuqala ukucabanga ngombono we-bikini. Kusukela ngo-1600 BC, kwakukhona imidwebo yezingubo zokubhukuda zesitayela se-bikini. UHeim ungumsiki wengqephu wesifazane waseCannes, eFrance. Waklama ingubo yokubhukuda encane wayiqamba ngokuthi “athomu”. Waqasha indiza ukuba ibheme futhi ibhale emoyeni ikhangisa ngesakhiwo sayo. Indiza yabhala emoyeni: "i-athomu - ingubo yokubhukuda encane kunazo zonke emhlabeni." Emasontweni amathathu kamuva, unjiniyela wemishini u-lild naye wabhala emoyeni: “i-bikini - incane ingubo yokubhukuda encane zonke emhlabeni.”