Episode One: The Sports Bra
The Early Days
The useless “Free Swing Tennis Bra” gets replaced by the “Jog Bra” in the 80s thanks to Lisa Lindahl, Polly Smith and Hinda Schreiber. Doctors Christine Haycock and LaJean Lawson bring bio-mechanics into sports bra development and research in the mid 80s.
Sports Bras on the Biggest Stage
The 1984 Olympics and 1999 Women’s World Cup bring the sports bra into the spotlight.
Breasts are a Non-Issue
The invention of the encapsulation sports bra, Enell, allows women with large breasts to pursue an athletic life. Sports bras take the very things that once made it difficult for women to play sports, breasts, and make them a non-issue.
Oh Wikipedia…
The Wikipedia page for the sports bra mis-classifies a swimsuit as a sports bra. Oy vey.
All of the sources
14 Years Ago Brandi Chastain Changed U.S. Soccer – For the Win
From the Jockbra to Brandi Chastain: The History of the Sports Bra – WBUR
A Comparison of Eight Selected Sports Bras – by LaJean R. Lawson
Creators of the Sports Bra Will Join Inventors Hall of Fame – Forbes
Christine E. Haycock, MD 1924 Papers – Rutgers Health Sciences: History of Medicine
Busty Business: Enell Owner and Founder Discusses Her Bra Invention – The Havre Herald
Oprah Show Mention Prompts Rush on Havre Company's "No Bounce" Bra – Billings Gazette