History of the Underwire Bra
Underwire bras contain a U- or J-shaped length of metal that provides additional support for the breasts. While the first brassieres date back to the late 1800s and early 1900s, it was not until the early 1930s that the underwire bra was first developed. Today, underwire bras are very popular and manufactured by numerous companies, including Warner, Frederick's of Hollywood, Victoria's Secret and many more.
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The Development of Brassieres and Cup Sizing
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One of the earliest brassieres was developed by New Yorker Mary Phelps Jacob in 1913. She later sold the patent for her design to Warner, which still makes bras to this day. Several years later, following the example of Ida Rosenthal, Warner adopted the A through D cup sizing system.
First Underwire Bra
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The first patent for an underwire bra was filed in 1931 by Helene Pons. This bra incorporated the U-shaped underwire still in use today.
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Alternate Underwire Designs
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In the 1930s and 1940s, two variations on the first underwire bra emerged, and were popular for a short period of time. One form consisted of O-shaped (rather than U-shaped) underwire, which wrapped around the entire breast. Another variation resembled a spiderweb, with a basket-weave of wires encasing each breast. Howard Hughes designed a cantiliever underwire bra to support Jane Russell's large bosom in the 1943 film "The Outlaw".
The 1950s
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Between the Great Depression and the metal rationing in World War II, it took nearly two decades for underwire bras to become widespread in the United States. It was not until the 1950s when metal was no longer needed for the war effort and the economy was booming that underwire brassieres became mainstream.
Popularity in the 21st Century
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According to a Washington Post article written in 2004, "about 70 percent of women wear bras with steel underwire."
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References
Resources
- Photo Credit hands and bra image by Vasiliy Koval from Fotolia.com
