developing and introducing the first fiberglass fire helmet in 1947, the first NFPA-approved thermoplastic fire helmet in 1983, and the first ratchet headband used in a fire helmet in 1986.
This year marks the 100th anniversary of the invention of the hard hat by San Francisco–based mining-equipment-manufacturer E.W. Bullard, who first patented his “hard-boiled hat” in 1919. A forerunner of today’s safety helmet, Bullard’s hat was made from steamed canvas, glue, and wa...