Quick Facts
Biography
Alexander MacRae (1888-1938) was an sports entrepreneur and clothing manufacturer. Born in Scotland, he emigrated to Australia where, in 1914, he founded the company that became the swimwear giant Speedo.
Biography
Early life
Alexander MacRae was born in Scotland to Mary and Murdo MacRae. His father, Murdo MacRae, was a fisherman in the north Western part or Scotland near the Kyle of Lochalsh. He married Mary at the Kyle of Loch Alsh train station. In 1910, Alexander immigrated to Australia.
Career
It was in 1914 that he founded the hosiery company MacRae Knitting Mills in Regent St, Sydney, Australia. In 1918, the company moved into a larger factory in Camperdown. The company was growing quickly, which required more space to manufacture what was becoming an icon of Australia. In 1928, a competition was held to see who could come up with a new name for the business. The name 'Speedo' was born and it is the company's name to this day.
Later, he flew to America and set the business up there.
Personal life
He married Martha MacRae. They had five sons and a daughter: Alisdair, William, James, Ronald, Duncan, and Jean. All of their sons became directors of Speedo.