Pigeon Bras

There is a maiden form for every type of figure!” Even the figure of a pigeon!
National Museum of American History, Archives Center,
Maidenform Collection, 1922-1997. 

The pigeon vest was created to protect carrier pigeons as they parachuted through the air strapped to the chest of paratroopers during World War II. Once the paratroopers hit the ground behind enemy lines, they would release the pigeons so they could fly off to deliver important messages.

It was designed and manufactured by the Maidenform brassiere company who made 28,500 pigeon vests for the U.S. government, switching, as many companies did, from peacetime production to producing necessary supplies for the war.

Read more: National Museum of American History