Leather helmet history ?

[urquhart]

Can someone direct me to an article on the history of the leather fireman's helmet????????

[stm4710]

Do a google search of Henery Gratacap.

[Adze39]

From PBS.org:

In 1731, Jacobus Turck, the caretaker of the department's fire engines, made a leather stovepipe hat -- similar to the one Abraham Lincoln would famously wear -- for use by firemen. Hats were made of various materials: wool, felt, papier-mâché, and oil cloth, but none of these materials was as effective as leather, and in 1762, all members of the force were required to wear leather hats while on duty. Badges on the front of the hats were used to identify firefighters and help facilitate operations involving multiple companies. In 1824, fireman/saddle maker Matthew DuBois added a metal wire to strengthen the brim. The final, now-familiar design was developed by New York Fire Department Foreman Henry Gratacap, who set up his own helmet factory in 1836. Today the helmets that firefighters wear are typically made out of fiberglass composites, and feature a fold-down plastic eye shield attached to the front brim.

Like Jesse said, do a search on Henry Gratacap in google and you will come up with a lot of hits

[pumper41]

I bet those paper-mache fire hats/helmets were real effective..... :D

[Adze39]

Originally posted by Adze39
From PBS.org:

[i]Hats were made of various materials: ...papier-mâché....but none of these materials was as effective as leather

Not as effective as leather? Get out of here!


I'm going super-traditional now! I'm going to make a paper-mache helmet!

[pumper41]

Uh Adze, don't you already have a paper(bag) helmet???

[Adze39]

Oh yeah....never mind!

[pumper41]

Then again Adze, maybe the paper bag is just your hood.....:D

[backdraft663]

Need to make ya a Leather paper sack! LOL:D :D

[Adze39]

Originally posted by backdraft663
Need to make ya a Leather paper sack! LOL:D :D


SWEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE EEET!