Pigeon vest

A pigeon vest is a bra-like garment used by the United States Armed Forces to keep war pigeons safe during World War II.^[1] They were also known as pigeon bras.^[2] Pigeons were used for messages because they were less likely to be intercepted by enemy forces.^[1] Pigeons had a 95% success rate in delivering their messages.^[2]

An example of a WWII-era pigeon vest on a pigeon-shaped mannequin

Pigeons had previously been used in World War I, and parachutes were designed specifically for them. However, the pigeon vest was a new technology developed for use in World War II.^[3] In 1944, the women's underwear company Maidenform was contracted to manufacture 28,500 pigeon vests for the United States Armed Forces. The fabric used in pigeon vests was porous and tightly woven to prevent damage from their claws,^[1] and only contained a pigeon's body, leaving their head and wings free.^[2] The devices contained adjustable straps so the pigeons could be more easily carried by paratroopers.^[1] Once they landed, the pigeon vest would be undone, and then the pigeon would fly to their homing base.^[2] For the safety of the pigeons, it was recommended against confining a pigeon in a pigeon vest for over six hours.^[1][4]

See also

• List of equipment of the United States Army during World War II