How the T-shirt Was Invented

Relatively speaking, the T-shirt is a fairly new addition to our collective wardrobes, and it has only been an acceptable piece of clothing in its own right for around half a century. While the garment itself has existed in a recognizable form (albeit with wider necks and shorter sleeves) since the early 20th century, it was almost universally considered to be underwear, and it was rarely, if ever, worn in public.

So where did the T-shirt come from? It's thought that it evolved from a kind of all-in-one underwear made from red flannel known as the "union suit."