Clever woman who modified and made comfortable a special detail of women's wardrobe (11 photos)
Various historical sources claim that the bra came up with the Romans, Egyptians and representatives of a couple more ancient peoples. That is, there is no unanimity on this issue. 
But, actually, it is not especially important. The bottom line is that caring convenience and morality (it is necessary to hide the features of the body, religion requires) led to the appearance of a torture instrument - a corset. pulling from an early age slowed down the development of the breast. Among the aristocrats was valued a small bust is a sign of a lady, not some kind of busty commoners. 
Ida Rosenthal
It only dawned on the people in the 19th century that, in addition to aesthetics, a corset it also harms women's health so badly: it deforms the chest, and along with it and the internal organs. 
The doctors' explanation, like a banner, was taken up by the suffragettes of Europe, calling the corset a weapon for enslaving women. 
The first linens from Mary Phelps Jacob
In general, down with the corset. What instead? There was no suitable replacement but work on its creation has already been carried out. The first prototype of the modern bra looked like a corset cut into two parts - something like a fabric strip that greatly tightens the chest and makes it ugly and flat. 
And then she appeared. A whole century has passed since American Ida Rosenthal designed the bra as it is still exists. 
Ida (nee Kaganovich) was born in a strict religious family in 1886. The girl did not want to repeat fate mother, on whose shoulders lay the provision of the family, and left for Poland to study.
In a student environment tuned to fashionable revolutionary ideas, she met her future husband Willy Rosenthal. When with manifestation freedom and political activity became difficult, the couple went for ocean. 
Ida was an excellent seamstress, she understood well the wishes of clients and could easily turn even the most intricate ideas into reality. Soon the woman was promoted, made a junior partner in the studio where she worked. BUT then it was time to create your own brainchild: with the support of Atelier owner Enid and husband Rosenthal opened a lingerie store Maiden Form ("Girl's Dreams"), which became popular not only in States, but throughout the world. 
But the sconce in its usual form did not suddenly appear. It was not insight. Ideas have been modernized for 20 years. At first these were just cups connected by a strip of matter. Then the cups were strengthened special tabs. Soon the model ranges were expanded, taking care of the needs of plump and thin women, which, of course, are different. Then the accent began to do not only for practicality, but also for beauty. And on sale launched models and styles that can satisfy the taste of even the most discerning buyers. 
After Willie's death, Ida ran the business for another 12 years. on one's own. When a woman suffered a stroke in 1966, she decided to retire and handed over the brainchild of her daughter. 
Rosenthal passed away in 1973 at the age of 88. And the enterprise exists to this day, covering a significant share of the local market and producing products for export to dozens of countries around the world.
