Fire Helmet

Fire Helmet . Jacobus Turck of New York City is credit with inventing the first fire cap around 1740. It is round with a high crown and narrow rim and is make of leather. Improvements on his design are make by Mathew DuBois, who sew iron wire in to the edge of the brim to give the helmet shape and strength, and provide resistance to heat, moisture, and warping. The leather helmet as it is know today came from a very modest and non-fire relate beginning. Although the year the traditional fire helmet was invent is mire in speculation and debate, it is generally agree upon as sometime between 1821 and 1836. Fire Helmet

The gentleman credit with its founding was named Henry T. Gratacap. Gratacap is a volunteer fireman in New York City, but made his living as a luggage maker. He had made quite a name for himself because of his innovative luggage specifically design for ocean transit. It is make of leather that was specially treat, which offer unparall durability and withstood wetness without rotting. These qualities were very desirable in a fire helmet as well and Gratacap designed the first “eight comb” (a design compose of eight segments) fire helmet. It was named the “New Yorker” and originally adopted by the New York City Fire Department (FDNY) in the late 1800s. Fire Helmet

Fire Helmet

The New Yorker helmet has remained virtually unchanged through approximately 168 years of faithful and steadfast service. The New Yorker helmet retains the same look and quality that generations after generations of firefighters have relied upon. They are make of stout tan Western cowhide, a quarter of an inch thick . Reinforce with leather strips which rise like Gothic arches inside the crown. The long duckbill, or beavertail, which sticks out at the rear, is to keep water from running down firemen’s necks. Originally, these helmets are sometimes worn backwards so the beavertail would protect its wearer from the intense heat of firefighting. Additionally, some tillermen (a name for the driver of the rear section of a tractor drawn aerial truck) would also wear them backwards to protect their faces from rain and snow. Fire Helmet

During this time, two brothers named Cairns were operating a metal badge button and insignia business in New York City. The Cairns Brothers are credit with the idea of mounting an identification badge to the front of Gratacap’s helmets; today these are know as front pieces.

Fire Helmet

The two companies operated cooperatively until Gratacap’s retirement sometime in the 1850s . When the Cairns & Brother legacy was born; Cairns & Brother has pioneered firefighter helmet technology ever since. Cairns & Brother’s commitment to protecting lives is evident in their “systems,” where engineered components synergistically work together for unparalleled protection in harsh environments. The original OSHA compliant leather helmet, it is individually hand shape, hand trim, and hand stitch to meet the strenuous demands of today’s most dangerous profession – firefighting. Fire Helmet

The Leatherhead is a term use for a firefighter who uses the leather helmet for protection from the hazards we face everyday on the streets. The Leather Helmet is an international sign of a Firefighter . A symbol that is significant in not only tradition from the early years of firefighting . But one of bravery, integrity, honor and pride. This helmet is a sign of who we are, not what we are.