The first wetsuits have appeared at the end of the 60s. As a matter of fact, fields as surf or diving have started to need wetsuits and more important studies were done. A good wetsuit is a compromise between heat conservation and liberty of movement. Two points are really important in the manufacturing of a wetsuit :
                - The neoprene : in fact, neoprene is just rubber with some additives (it depends on the brand). The natural rubber is collected under liquid state and then transformed under rolls. From these rolls, sheets of a thickness between 1,5 mm and 15 mm are made. For some wetsuits, an addition of titanium is used : a sheets of metal of really small thickness is added during the fabrication. Thanks to it, an increase of heat of about 25% can be made.
                - The cutting to shape : this phase is a really important one because it will determine the final elasticity of the wetsuit (the facility of movement). Too many pieces don't have to be made otherwise there will be a lose of water tightness and so a lose of heat. On the contrary, a one-piece wetsuits will make motion quite hard which is not good.

           Nowadays, there are two ways to join the different parts of a wetsuit : parts can be glued together and then sewed (which is the best one because it is more waterproof), or just simply sewed. In both case, a wetsuit is never totally waterproof.