Reard of California / Le Premier Maillot de Bain du Monde. Paris: Gaillard, ca. 1950. Poster advertising Reard bathing suits. Louis Reard (1897-1984) introduced the modern bikini, which he called the “Atome” and advertised as the “world’s smallest bathing suit,” in 1946. This is the small version of the poster. 31 ¼ x 23 ½”. Linen backed. A-.