Brands are people, people are brands #167 – O’Neill

This is Jack O’Neill, of surf brand O’Neill.

He invented the wetsuit, and opened up the first surf shop in 1952 in a garage in San Francisco.

He also pioneered the use of the leash to prevent a surfer losing the board. He was testing a leash when he lost that eye.

Doesn’t O’Neill seem more interesting as a brand now that you know that?

• Category: rivetings