In the mid-1800s Henry T. Gratacap, a luggage maker and volunteer fireman in New York City, combined his artisan expertise with his real life experience fighting fires to design a fire helmet that would protect the fireman and stand up in extreme conditions. The Smithsonian American History Museum describes Gratacap's original creation as a specially treated leather helmet with a segmented comb design for unparalleled durability and strength. The body of the helmet was primarily designed to deflect falling debris, the rear brim prevented water from running down a firefighter's back and its stu...
Reader Comments(0)