Mary Phelps Jacobs
Mary Phelps Jacobs was born April 20, 1891 in New Rochelle, New York. She was born into a privileged family, always receiving whatever she desired. She attend private school, dance school, and horse back riding school. However, she was never interested in school. She was introduced to the King of England formally in 1914. She met her first husband, Richard Roberts Peabody, one of the wealthiest, and most famous families in New England in 1915. They had two children, a boy and girl. Richard had participated in WWI and became an increasing alcoholic. Mary could not take his laziness and drunkenness. She cheated on him with Harry Grew Crosby, another elite man after only knowing him two weeks. She was six years older than Harry. Mary divorced Richard, and married Harry. They lived a lavish life of partying. They made a pact to have an open relationship, mutual suicide pact, and cremation instructions they carried with them wherever they went. Eventually, Harry cheated on her with another woman. Harry and this woman committed suicide together. Mary married several other times, always living a wild life. Mary continued this life by making money writing and publishing throughout the years.
While her social life was very publicized due to her prominent status and wild marriages, Mary is famous for inventing the first modern bra. Several women before made modifications to the corset and other bra-like articles, but in 1910 Mary patented her brassiere. She came up with the idea after purchasing a sheer evening gown for a formal event. Her corset poked out from the dress, and she hated it. With her maid, Mary stitched two silk handkerchiefs together with pink ribbon. The bra was soft, light weight, and separated the breasts naturally. Many people envied Mary's risque undergarment, and many of her friends and family asked her to make them one. Mary realized the brassiere could be profitable and opened a business. She did not make much money and sold her business to the Warner Brothers Corset Company. Shortly after, bra sales took off because of WWI. Women were asked to stop purchasing corsets in order to save metal. Over 28,000 tons of metal was saved by the switch from corset to brassiere. This was enough metal to build two battleships. Originally, bras were popularized because they flattened the breasts. Bras that made the breasts seem larger were popularized by Marilyn Monroe.