The history of the Hard Hat
Called hard boiled hats in the early part of the twentieth century. Patented by Edward W. Bullard, this unique what was made with steamed canvas and glue a leather brim and finally coated with black paint.
The design was based on the ‘doughboy’ helmet worn by soldiers in World War One. A structure that saves lives in battle could be used in this new environments.
Trademarked ‘Hard Boiled’ as a result of the steaming process. Made to protect at work, this hat was the first of its kind. Suspension bands inside the helmet elevated the helmet from the head giving a space that helped distribute the weight and impact of a heavy object. This space offered more safely for the head with less chance of impact.
Used for work and industrial locations these hats were life savers. From the mines to construction they were worn by everyone. Each part of the workforce were able to make use of them around the world.
As materials advanced, so did the hard hat. An aluminium helmet was used for a short time but the conduction qualities were less favourable.
Made with three-ribs in heat resistant fiberglass in the 1940s. Moved on to thermoplastic 1950s and 1960s . In 1982, a standard hard hat was designed with non-slip ratchet suspension and a knob positioned in the back for simple sizing.
Today hard hats are constructed with polyethylene plastic as classic hard Hat. Innovation is never far away. The Bullard manufacturing empire listen to the needs of their customers and design accordingly.
A lightweight, durable, easy to mold and non-conductive to electricity hard hat makes it versatile and useful. Incorporated with an advanced suspension, easy locking and adjustable systems. This continues to offer the required protection. Even the colours are coded to job roles to further offer clear demarcation of roles.
The hard hat is 121 years old and is here to stay.