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T-SHIRTS LEGENDS AND ODDITIES

History of the American T-Shirt
At the beginning of the twentieth century, the T-Shirt quickly became an American favorite. Now, a century later, at the beginning of the twenty-first century, the T-Shirt remains as popular as ever.

The American T-Shirt began during WWI when American troops noticed European soldiers wearing a comfortable and lightweight cotton undershirt during the hot and humid European summer days. Compared to the wool uniforms that the American soldiers wore, these undershirts were cooler and more comfortable and they quickly caught on with the Americans. Due to their simple design, these shirts became known in the USA as "T" shirts or, as we know them now, "T-Shirts".

By the 1920's, "T-Shirt" had become an official word in the American English language with it's inclusion in Merriam-Webster's Dictionary. By World War II, both the Navy and the Army had included the T-Shirt as standard issue underwear.

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Initially pegged as an undergarment, the T-Shirt soon came in to it's own on the big screen. John Wayne, Marlon Brando and James Dean all shocked Americans by wearing their underwear on national TV. In 1951, Marlon Brando shocked Americans in his film "A Streetcar Named Desire" when his T-Shirt was ripped off of his body revealing his naked chest.

By 1955, the T-Shirt was tolerated worn without another shirt covering it. Then James Dean made the T-Shirt real cool in "Rebel Without A Cause". James Dean made the T-Shirt a contemporary symbol of rebellious youth.

In the 60's people began to tie dye and screen print the basic cotton T-Shirt making it an even bigger commercial success. Advances in printing and dying allowed more variety and the Tank Top, Muscle Shirt, Scoop Neck, V-Neck, and many other variations of the T-Shirt came in to fashion.

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The T-Shirt was inexpensive, in style, and could make any statement you cared to print. The American T-Shirt came into it's own during the late sixties and seventies. Rock and Roll bands began to realize that they could make significant amounts of money selling their T-Shirts. Professional Sports caught on and soon the officially licensed T-Shirt became hot merchandise.

During the 80's and 90's the production of T-Shirts and the mechanics of printing on them increased the volume and availability. Soon the American T-Shirt was being called a commodity item in the apparel industry.

At the beginning of a new millennium, the t-shirt has entered cyberspace and is now about to become even bigger. The American T-Shirt is well built and it is made to be worn. The artwork symbolizes the cultural and social climate of our times. The printing is state of the art created by true craftspeople. The T-Shirt is a great product.

Every piece of clothing says something about the wearer, but none as much as the T- Shirt because the T-Shirt has proved a fantastic medium for slogans and designs!

T-Shirts Facts

• Today, ninety-one percent of Americans profess to owning a "favorite" T-shirt.
• Thirty-four percent say white is the color of their favorite T-shirt, nearly doubling the votes received by the second and third choices: blue and black, respectively.
• Sixty-two percent claim to own more than ten t-shirts (that alone is 1.5 billion T's!  Line them up, and they'd circle the globe 34 times!)
• Overall 70 percent of men and 54 percent of women have more than 10 t-shirts.
• Of the younger crowd (18-24 years old) 79 percent have more than 10 t-shirts.
• 19 percent of that younger group owns more than 30 t-shirts.
• The t-shirt is the easiest way to make a statement without speaking!
• The crew neck t-shirt was invented by sailors!
• 9 out of 10 people feel more relaxed in a t-shirt rather than any other top.
• Today's t-shirt comes in many styles and variations and no doubt has become the single most popular article of clothing known to Americans.

Sources: T-Shirts Countdown, concepttshirts and the usual gang of idiots at Caddylak Graffix T-Shirt caption writing studio!

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