In 1933-1934 Katherine Curtis organized a show, ”The Modern Mermaids,” for the World Exhibition in Chicago, which the announcer introduced as ”Synchronized Swimming.” This was the first mentioning of the term synchronized swimming

But it was Esther Williams who male synchronized swimming popular through scenes in Hollywood films such as Bathing Beauty (1944), Million Dollar Mermaid (1952), and Jupiter’s Darling (1955). In the 1970s and 80s, Charkie Phillips revived water ballet on television with The Krofftettes in The Brady Bunch Hour (1976–77), NBC’s The Big Show (1980), and then on screen with Miss Piggy in The Great Muppet Caper (1981).

But it is still Esther Williams who is and forever will be the greatest mermaid ever to be captured on camera.