In the 1940s, college student Jay Garrick acquired his super-speed abilities in a random lab accident and became the first DC Superhero to go by the name the Flash. Years later, Jay was succeeded by police scientist Barry Allen, until Barry's former kid partner Wally West took up the mantle at a time when Barry was considered dead. But, when Barry returned, he became the Flash once again. All three generations of speedsters have been cornerstone members of both the Justice Society and Justice League.