The sweatshirt (or simply 'sweat') was invented 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 had a son, Bertie, who commenced playing football at the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa and complained about the football shirts of the time. They were made from wool and caused itchiness when they became damp which in turn caused discomfort for the football players.
Bertie came-up with the idea of making football shirts from the same material the company used to make the underwear. Knowing well the garments made at his father's factory Bertie suggested this would be a great way to make football shirts. Benjamin saw that the idea might have legs and tried it out.
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.
Benjamin saw the potential and encouraged Bertie to identify new markets for the lighter, softer material. Bertie found sales in athletics clubs and the baseball world and production expanded to satisfy the new orders.
{The Russell company was able to become the established shirt company by forming Russell Athletic in 1932.|In response to this success the Russell company formed Russell Athletic, an athletics association in 1932 establishing Russell as the preferred sports shirt supplier
Fast forward in time and the sweatshirt style has since become a very popular casual wear item being made by many fashion brands for example G Star Sweat.
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