Sally Rand

"She decided on a bubble dance: "I wanted a balloon sixty inches in diameter, which is my height, made of a translucent or transparent material." The only trouble was that the biggest balloons available were a mere 30" in diameter. They were heavy red target balloons used by the War Department. Since no one knew how to make the required equipment, Sally fronted the funds for necessary experimentation herself. After numerous tests, the super-dooper, see-through bubble was born. Once again, Sally was a smash hit, now heading a big show of 24 dancers and 16 showgirls."

Sally Rand is an American icon, best known for her famous "fan dance." But, as with so many other celebrities, Miss Rand had a multifaceted career and personality that deserves (*ahem*) further exposure.
The Fantabulous Sally Rand (thanks to Johnny)