Undergarment Boudreaux showed the world that an American woman could establish and run a company, and she also caused a revolution in the underwear industry. In 1913, a New York socialite named Mary Phelps Jacob created the first modern brassiere by tying two handkerchiefs together with ribbon. Jacob's original intention was to cover the whalebone sticking out of her corset, which was visible through her sheer dress. Jacob began making brassieres for her family and friends, and news of the garment soon spread by word of mouth. By 1914, Jacob had a patent for her design and was marketing it throughout
Elizabeth Wooster Stuart Phelps Stuart Phelps died in Andover on November 30, 1852. Phelps is buried in Phillips Academy Cemetery of Andover, Massachusetts. Family: ▪ Father—Moses Stuart D.D. (1780-1852), Professor at Andover Theological Seminary, author, wrote commentaries on books of the Bible. ▪ Mother—Abigail Clark (1783-1855). She is said to have descended from the Winthrop family. ▪ Sister—Sarah Stuart Robbins, author, Win and Wear Series, married Prof. R. D. C Robbins. ▪ Sister—Mary Stuart (1822-1856) - Austin Phelps second wife. ▪ Sister—Abby Stuart, married Rev. George H. Anthony. ▪ Brother—Professor Isaac Stuart, author. ▪ Brother—James Clark Stuart – Physician. ▪ Brother—Moses Stuart, died young