Total Pageviews

Thursday, October 17, 2013

The Freedom-Fighting Breasts Of WWII Women

de bene esse: literally, of well-being, morally acceptable but subject to future validation or exception

During World War II, the influx of women taking on jobs traditionally held by men presented a unique problem: How does one keep a lady safe while she's, say, riveting her way to freedom? The answer apparently was in the form of a plastic bra.

plastic bra
Flickr photo via The U.S. National Archives
Dubbed the "Saf-T-Bra" (and helpfully demonstrated by a not-shy war worker in this photo, circa 1943), the plastic molded domes were thought to reduce the risk of occupational hazards. However, if you consider horrible localized sweat in the boob area a hazard, this bra can't help you.

No comments: