Always Has Been: Chapter 1: Mary Phelps Jacob and the Invention of the Modern Brassiere

In 1914, Mary Phelps Jacob, a New York inventor, received a patent for the modern brassiere, aiming to replace the uncomfortable corsets of the time. Initially met with mixed reception, the brassiere spurred cultural debates as traditionalists feared it would disrupt societal norms and moral standards. The shift also impacted the corset industry, posing economic challenges. Jacob's invention exemplified the social tension between innovation and tradition in early 20th-century society.