Patent

Long before inflatable life jackets, inventor Paschal Plantpatented a wearable flotation device the “Cork SwimmingSuit” (U.S. Patent No. 267,799) in 1882. Consisting of anetting of strong cords and small cork pieces thataccording to him fit like a “small scale armour,” it wasdesigned to replace heavy, waterlogged cloth.

Cloth was out, cork was in, and comfort was presumablynegotiable, but whether it actually kept anyone afloat isanother question.