Breast augmentation
The modern prosthetic breast was invented in 1961, by the American plastic surgeons Thomas Cronin and Frank Gerow, and manufactured by the Dow Corning Corporation; in due course, the first augmentation mammoplasty was performed in 1962. There are five generations of medical device technology for the breast-implant models filled with silicone gel; each generation of breast prosthesis is defined by common model-manufacturing techniques.
Corselet
The corselet as an item of women's clothing began to gain traction in 1914, as a substitute for wearing two separate pieces (a bra with either a girdle or a corset). The bust uplift cups were first introduced in 1933, but did not become common until 1943.
A corselet was released by Warner's in 1952, named after "The Merry Widow", a 1905 operetta which has been adapted several times into feature-length films. "Merry widow" remains a common generic term for a corsetry type garment in the United States, or a "basque" in the UK. It is usually strapless, and stopping on the hips, rather than extending below the hip line, like the typical corselet.. A merry widow type garment is normally fastened by hooks and eyes at the rear, and because it is strapless, it need to be well boned to prevent it from rolling over, the boning helping to support the demi-cup section. A merry widow / basque would also incorporate suspenders/garters for attaching to stockings. This type of lingerie is also known as a torsolette, and is used in bridal lingerie, much like the bustier.