The first brassiere-like garment is believed to have been created in the 1850s by a New York seamstress named Madame Cady. Her design, which was called the "bust bodice," was made of stiffened cotton and featured shoulder straps and a front hook-and-eye closure. It was intended to provide support and lift for the breasts, and was typically worn under clothing.
In the early 1900s, a number of other brassiere designs were patented by women inventors. One of the most notable was Mary Phelps Jacob, who patented her "backless brassiere" in 1914. Jacob's design was inspired by the restrictive corsets that were popular at the time, and featured a front-hook closure and adjustable shoulder straps. It quickly became a popular alternative to corsets, and is considered to be the first modern bra.
Why was the bra invented?
The bra was invented to provide support and lift for the breasts. In the past, women often wore corsets to achieve this, but corsets were uncomfortable and restrictive. The bra was designed to be a more comfortable and practical alternative to the corset.