# How Mary Phelps Jacob Invented the Modern Backless Brassiere

> A 1914 patent by Mary Phelps Jacob that replaced heavy, rigid corsets with a lightweight, two-handkerchief design to support the bust.

- **Patent:** US 1115674
- **Original title:** Brassiere.
- **Owner:** MARY P JACOB
- **Granted:** 1914
- **Status:** Public domain (expired)
- **Times cited:** 3
- **Field:** consumer_electronics

## What it does

The invention provides a lightweight garment for supporting the breasts using two silk handkerchiefs and ribbon straps. It replaces the rigid, whalebone-stiffened corsets common in the early 20th century. The design allows for a more natural silhouette and greater freedom of movement by using soft materials that conform to the body rather than forcing the body into a rigid shape.

## What it does NOT cover

- Does not cover modern underwire construction techniques.
- Does not cover elastic synthetic fabrics like spandex or elastane.
- Does not cover molded cup designs or foam padding.

## The clever bit

The innovation was the shift from structural rigidity to soft, flexible support using simple, readily available materials like handkerchiefs and ribbons.

## Real-world examples

1. Early 20th-century soft-cup brassieres
2. Handkerchief-style bralettes

## Why it matters

This patent marks the transition from the restrictive Victorian-era corset to the modern brassiere. It liberated women from heavy, uncomfortable undergarments and paved the way for the multi-billion dollar intimate apparel industry.

## Frequently asked questions

### What does How Mary Phelps Jacob Invented the Modern Backless Brassiere cover?

A 1914 patent by Mary Phelps Jacob that replaced heavy, rigid corsets with a lightweight, two-handkerchief design to support the bust.

### Who owns patent US 1115674?

MARY P JACOB owns this patent, granted in 1914.

### When does this patent expire?

This patent has expired and is now in the public domain — anyone can use the invention freely.

### What is patent US 1115674 cited by?

This patent has been cited by 3 later patents that build on its ideas.

### What problem does this patent solve?

This patent marks the transition from the restrictive Victorian-era corset to the modern brassiere. It liberated women from heavy, uncomfortable undergarments and paved the way for the multi-billion dollar intimate apparel industry.

### What does this patent NOT cover?

Does not cover modern underwire construction techniques.

**Full plain-English explainer:** https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/1115674/brassiere-mary-phelps-jacob

**Original patent:** https://patents.google.com/patent/US1115674

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_Source: PatentBrief — https://patentbrief.org. Patent facts are from public records; the plain-English explanation is PatentBrief's._


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