First Times: Mary Phelps (Caresse Crosby) and America's First Bra

In today's Love Letters to... we celebrate the inventor of a notable first: Caresse Crosby (born Mary 'Polly' Phelps), the first person to patent the bra in the United States. This happened when Caresse was a young woman, and for most people, it would have been a crowning life achievement. Not Caresse though. Patenting the bra was the first of many extraordinary adventures in a life she lived entirely her way.Advertise with us! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.