1961 Swimaster Bello-Flex Snorkel

This is an historic 1961 First Edition modern snorkel invented by Dick Bonin, called the “Bello-Flex,”sold by the short lived company, “Swimaster.” The orifice is 3/4” diameter. Total length, blowhole (orifice end) to flexible rubber mouthpiece (an innovation by Dick Bonin), is 21”. Before this First Generation flexible snorkel, the entire rubber pipe was rigid and the orifice diameter was about 1/2” diameter. The last picture shows a 1962 advertisement for the “Bello-Flex” from Swimaster’s skin diving catalogue. This was the first flexible corrugated rubber hose ending that had a soft, drop out of the way mouthpiece (when not in use, like use of the scuba air machine mouthpiece). Bello-Flex was lauded for “ultimate comfort with super-size, swivel action hose at J-bend.” This flexible hose was made from surplus aircraft parts, attached to a snorkel tube. Condition is excellent, hardly ever used, Museum quality for 59 years old. This is collectible. Great as a display but totally usable