Training bras through the ages

I was futzing around, looking for pictures of 1877-1882 corsetry in England.

And on this one site, there was this thing: a child's stay band. What the heck? I guess it's a practice corset?

Looking at some of the other child/adolescent corsets, they say they were probably primarily intended to make the girl stand and sit up straight. But really, boys had to sit up straight too. I think it was to get the girls used to being squeezed and squished as soon as possible.

Now, I have never been good at sitting up straight, but am definitely glad that I never had to wear one of those.

I am an enthusiast of the Rational Dress Movement. ONLY seven pounds of undergarments for me!