When were bras invented?

The first “official” bra dates back to 1869. French designer Herminie Cadolle splits the corset into two parts: a lower piece for the waist and an upper piece with shoulder straps to support the breasts. She presents her "bien-être" (well-being) at the Paris World's Fair.

It was called a split corset bra, and the top part became the first iteration of the modern day bra.