1913:The first modern bra to be patented was a silk hanky and pink ribbon affair created by New York socialite Mary Phelps Jacob. Mary had bought a sheer evening dress to wear to an event, and at the time, the only undergarment available to her was a corset made with whaleback bones. Mary found that the bones showed through the sheer fabric and created her DIY alternative!
1914:After a year of sharing her creation with friends, Mary Phelps Jacob applies for a patent (under the business name” Caresse Crosby”) on November 3 for her “Backless Brassiere” design. Mary’s “brassiere” was very lightweight, soft, and separated the breasts naturally. Unlike Marie Tucek’s 1893 design, Jacob’s garment did not have cups to support the breasts, but flattened them instead. Jacob markets the “Backless Brassiere” garment until she tires of the business and sells the patent to Warner Brothers Corset Company in Bridgeport, CT, for $1500. Warner’s reportedly made over $15 million over the next 30 years from the patent.
I’d say Warner’s made a sound investment, no? And some improvements along the way. Flattened breasts will be the rave through the 20’s or so…certainly not anymore. And certainly not with the UpBra!