Humans have worked on ways to make garments water resistant almost since they started to wear them. But figuring out how to manufacture a raincoat using rubber was a big breakthrough that took centuries.
Research:

SYMHC Classics: Dr. Lucy Hobbs Taylor
29:58

Behind the Scenes Minis: Carry-on Bags
28:38

Gustave Flaubert and the ‘Madame Bovary’ Trial
45:15