Mae West (life preserver)
The Mae West was a common nickname of a Type B-4 life preserver (inflatable lifejacket), used during World War II by the Allies. The B-4 was invented by James F. Boyle. The preserver was khaki color, made of cotton with inflatable rubber bladders, with dimensions of 27.5" H x 12.75" W x 1.25" D. The nickname was based on the famously buxom figure of Mae West, one of the most popular actresses of that period.
Andrew Toti related that his mother was the inspiration for the invention of the Mae West life vest. He had bought a boat, and his mother was worried because he couldn't swim. He designed a personal life preserver filled with duck feathers. However, that was too bulky and heavy, so he used air. Toti sold the rights to the Mae West life vest to the US War Department in 1936 for US$1,600.