On this day in 1988 the patent for Dress Protector was granted. U.S. Patent No. 393,979.
The Dress Protector was invented by Lebrecht Heumann, from Cologne, Prussia. This patent was granted on December 4, 1888 as U.S. Patent No. 393,979
The object of Mr. Heumann’s invention is to provide an under-garment which will hide the outline of the top of a corset, absorb the precipitation from the wearer’s body, but also possess sufficient stiffness to retain its own proper form, fitting the body of the wearer, and an external lining impervious to water, which will prevent the perspiration from passing through to the outer garments.
Mr. Heumann was clearly way ahead of his time with this invention. This invention is the dri-fit of the 19th century. I’m sure this Dress Protector was appreciated by a lot of women in this time period. They didn’t have deodorant or the advances in hygiene that we have today. Imagine being able to wear the latest fashionable dresses without having to worry that you’ll show perspiration in the heat. That can be a very embarrassing situation.
It seems like a lot of the clothing being made today is all about dri-fit, wicking moisture away from the body, keeping a person cool when it’s hot and dry as well. I’m not sure how much this Dress Protector cost back in 1888 but I know today people would pay top dollar for them. Women, also know the importance of seamlessness. There is nothing more annoying than having a great outfit picked out and then have it ruined by the seam from your under-garment showing.
Again Mr. Heumann was ahead of the times with the corset form. Thanks to the Kardashians and other celebrities waist training has become the “next big thing”. A waist trainer is basically a corset you can tighten to give you that hour glass shape. He had all these things in one dress that we are using today in many different forms.
