Modern day nudism started in Germany in the early twentieth century and Americans soon began the practice around New Jersey. Other cities were also added to the list where followers of nudism could be found. In America, Hollywood movie stars would head to various places to get nude. Nudism offered a lifestyle choice to get away from the city at weekends. Books appeared extolling the benefits of nudity. Many authors in America believed that social nudity would inevitably become the norm by the late 1930's. At the San Diego Exposition 1935, social nudists from Chicago set up a naturist camp in the centre of the Balboa Park Exposition. Many visitors to the Zoro Gardens at this Exposition saw social nudity in action and learned the possible benefits of the nudist lifestyle. To begin with, social nudists came from all walks of life, although primarily they were from the lower working classes. It was deemed an activity that cost little money but offered social interaction to all economic classes and religions.
