Came across an item salvaged during a particularly sweaty bike ride, that had been languishing on a top shelf for a few years. Behold a 1950's-ish vintage hard hat.
Turns out it's a SuperLite Hard Hat, by Fibre-Metal products Co. of Concordville, PA. It was dirty, dingy and had some road rash (just barely visible at the 9 o'clock position). Plastic liner (set for something that felt like a size 6) and a leatherette sweat band that was sorta dry.
Here's the modern writeup -
At the turn of the last century, a man named Frederick M. Bowers saw that welders in his hometown of Chester, Pennsylvania needed better protection in their work to build great things – like pipelines, ships and railroads. To help, he founded the Fibre-Metal Products company and manufactured the world’s first welding helmet in 1905. Over the next century, the company pioneered the development of Fibre-Metal caps, faceshields and goggles featuring technologically advanced designs, high quality materials and superior craftsmanship. Today, Fibre-Metal continues to stand for innovative, high performance and quality - enabling workers to build something greater.
https://www.honeywellsafety.com/Fibre-Metal/?LangType=1033
Washed everything, opened up the retainer to the largest marked size (8) and oiled the band til it was supple. Then gave it a coat of Safety Orange.
Ta Da. Ready once again to join the work force, bouncing around in the back of the truck until called to duty.
Turns out it's a SuperLite Hard Hat, by Fibre-Metal products Co. of Concordville, PA. It was dirty, dingy and had some road rash (just barely visible at the 9 o'clock position). Plastic liner (set for something that felt like a size 6) and a leatherette sweat band that was sorta dry.
Here's the modern writeup -
At the turn of the last century, a man named Frederick M. Bowers saw that welders in his hometown of Chester, Pennsylvania needed better protection in their work to build great things – like pipelines, ships and railroads. To help, he founded the Fibre-Metal Products company and manufactured the world’s first welding helmet in 1905. Over the next century, the company pioneered the development of Fibre-Metal caps, faceshields and goggles featuring technologically advanced designs, high quality materials and superior craftsmanship. Today, Fibre-Metal continues to stand for innovative, high performance and quality - enabling workers to build something greater.
https://www.honeywellsafety.com/Fibre-Metal/?LangType=1033
Washed everything, opened up the retainer to the largest marked size (8) and oiled the band til it was supple. Then gave it a coat of Safety Orange.
Ta Da. Ready once again to join the work force, bouncing around in the back of the truck until called to duty.
