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
John M. Phelps He was elected as Secretary of State in 1870 and served 1871–1873. John Phelps married Mary Loudin prior to 1845 in Gilmer County, West Virginia. they had three children all born in Virginia: Oliver (born 1845), Cordelia (born 1846), and William (born 1849). Mary died in February or March 1853 in Harrison County, West Virginia. Oliver also served in the Civil War, and was promoted to commissioned a captain of E Company on May 6, 1862, first lieutenant on March 5, 1862, and was made captain of B Company on February 1, 1864. Phelps then married Susan Jane Hagerman at