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Construction Finance Fact of the Day: History of the Hard Hat

July 8, 2018 Uncategorized 2 Comments

construction finance hardhats hard hat

 

Anybody who has had the misfortune of knowing me for long knows that I am wonderful repository of useless knowledge.

I may not be able to remember what I wore yesterday, or how to use an Excel sheet, but darn if I can’t tell you everything you ever wanted to know about the history of public housing or different types of flamingos.

It’s a gift.

Just…not a good one.

In that vain, however, I would like to share today’s useless tidbit: The history of hard hats.

If you’ve ever felt your hair drench with sweat on a 50 degree day (or had a few brain cells spared after your idiot co-worker dropped an empty paint bucket), you’re probably pretty familiar with the ol’ fashion accessory.

But, did you know that the first hard hat was invented by E.W. Bullard in 1919?

E.W.’s dad had a hat making company, and after E.W. came back from WWI with his army-issued steel helmet, he found himself realizing the protective headwear might just have some uses outside of the battle field.

Made out of steamed canvas and glue, Bullard’s ‘Hard Boiled Hat’ went onto protect the noggins of many a construction worker.  So, if you currently have hair matted to your forehead (but brain cells to spare), you know who to thank!



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About the Author

Tipper Coker

Lawyer. Vice president of business development. Hopeless nerd who's read far too many AIA contracts.