History of the Bra
The first modern brassiere to receive a patent was the one invented in 1913 by a New York socialite named Mary Phelps Jacob. Mary Phelps Jacob had purchased an evening gown for an event. At the time, the only acceptable undergarment was a corset that was stiffened with whaleback bones. Mary found that the whalebones poked out and was visible. Later, Mary worked with her maid and was able to design an alternative to the corset.