Helmets

Image of Miners wearing helemts with Edison Cap Lamps
Miners wearing safety hats and Edison lamps preparing to enter mine. Harwick, PA, 1953.

Prior to the 1920s, miners wore a soft cap made of cloth or canvas with a leather brim and lamp bracket to hold their light. But in 1919, Edward D. Bullard of San Francisco, California developed the first hard hat, basing it on the Doughboy helmet he wore as a soldier in World War I. The helmet was made of canvas, glue, and black paint, and given the trademarked name “Hard Boiled” because of the steam used in the manufacturing process. Promotional materials touted the hat’s strength; saying that a 20 pound weight dropped from a height of two feet did not break the cap, and a one pound bolt dropped forty feet did not dent the cap.  The helmet could carry a regulation bracket for a carbide lamp, and could be ordered in any size. Edward W. Bullard continued to improve his father’s safety hat, patenting several inventions in 1928 including an adjustable lining to the interior of the hat, and an insulated lamp bracket.

The Mine Safety Appliances (MSA) Company was founded in 1914 in response to the mounting danger found in mines. The company’s first step was to work with Thomas Edison to develop a battery-powered lamp to avoid igniting firedamp in mines. MSA went on to produce a variety of safety devices, including breathing apparatus, gas masks, ventilation fans, and helmets. The first safety helmet that MSA manufactured was the trademarked Skullgard Bakelite helmet designed by Jack Lewis in 1930. In 1935 MSA registered their trademark for the Comfo-Cap and continues to produce the Skullgard and Como-Cap into the 21st century. Both MSA-manufactured helmets are represented in the mining collection in the Division of Work and Industry.

Image of Consolidated Coal Miners Wearing Edison Cap Lamps and MSA Breathing Apparatus
Rescue Team with Edison Cap Lamps & MSA Breathing Apparatus. Jenkins, Kentucky, 1926.

Carbide lamps were still used with hard protective helmets, but helmets that used electric lamps would have a cord holder to keep the cord out of the miner’s way. A form of this helmet and electric lamp combination is still worn today, with improvements in the area of battery life and weight, a change to tungsten and LED bulbs, and breakaway or segmented cords to allow the miner to be less inhibited by the battery pack.

This black Coal King brand miner’s helmet was made during the first half of the 20th century by the T.R. Jones Company of Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania.
Description (Brief)
This black Coal King brand miner’s helmet was made during the first half of the 20th century by the T.R. Jones Company of Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. The helmet is made of re-enforced leather, with a leather and metal lamp bracket in the front and a leather cord holder in the rear. The helmet’s cord holder keeps the cable out of the miner’s way, routing it behind the miner. The cord holder points to this helmet being used in conjunction with an electric lamp.
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
AG.MHI-MN-9575B
catalog number
MHI-MN-9575B
accession number
282791
This Hard Boiled brand miner’s helmet was made by the E.D. Bullard Company of San Francisco, California after 1919. A leather and metal lamp bracket is mounted onto the front of the helmet that likely would have held a carbide lamp.
Description (Brief)
This Hard Boiled brand miner’s helmet was made by the E.D. Bullard Company of San Francisco, California after 1919. A leather and metal lamp bracket is mounted onto the front of the helmet that likely would have held a carbide lamp. Bullard was one of the first producers of protective hard hats, basing their original design off of the “doughboy” helmets worn by World War I soldiers. The helmet was made of canvas, glue, and black paint, and given the trademarked name “Hard Boiled” because of the steam used in the manufacturing process.
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
AG.MHI-MN-8782B
catalog number
MHI-MN-8782B
accession number
265669
This Skullgard helmet was manufactured by the Mine Safety Appliances Company of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania during the 20th century. The Skullgard brand helmet was developed by MSA in 1930.
Description (Brief)
This Skullgard helmet was manufactured by the Mine Safety Appliances Company of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania during the 20th century. The Skullgard brand helmet was developed by MSA in 1930. The hat is made of Bakelite plastic with a leather and metal lamp bracket is attached to the front of the helmet, which probably would have held an electric lamp.
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
AG.MHI-MT-2681
accession number
115672
catalog number
MHI-MT-2681
This Hard Boiled brand miner’s helmet was made by the E.D. Bullard Company of San Francisco, California after 1919. A leather and metal lamp bracket is mounted onto the front of the helmet that likely would have held an electric lamp.
Description (Brief)
This Hard Boiled brand miner’s helmet was made by the E.D. Bullard Company of San Francisco, California after 1919. A leather and metal lamp bracket is mounted onto the front of the helmet that likely would have held an electric lamp. The rear of the helmet has a metal cord holder. Bullard was one of the first producers of protective hard hats, basing their original design off of the “doughboy” helmets worn by World War I soldiers. The helmet was made of canvas, glue, and black paint, and given the trademarked name “Hard Boiled” because of the steam used in the manufacturing process.
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
AG.MHI-MN-8782C
catalog number
MHI-MN-8782C
accession number
265669
This black Coal King brand miner’s helmet was made during the first half of the 20th century by the T.R. Jones Company of Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania.
Description (Brief)
This black Coal King brand miner’s helmet was made during the first half of the 20th century by the T.R. Jones Company of Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. The helmet is made of re-enforced leather, with a leather and metal lamp bracket in the front and a leather cord holder in the rear. The helmet’s cord holder keeps the cable out of the miner’s way, routing it behind the miner. The cord holder points to this helmet being used in conjunction with an electric lamp.
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
AG.MHI-MN-9575A
catalog number
MHI-MN-9575A
accession number
282791
This Bakelite miner’s helmet was made during the first half of the 20th century. He helmet has a t-shaped leather lamp bracket attached to the front. The bracket likely held either an oil-wick lamp or a carbide lamp.
Description (Brief)
This Bakelite miner’s helmet was made during the first half of the 20th century. He helmet has a t-shaped leather lamp bracket attached to the front. The bracket likely held either an oil-wick lamp or a carbide lamp. The interior of the helmet consists of a leather headband connected to eight suspension straps. There is a paper label on the helmet that reads "Gift of F.B. Davenport 90 / June 7 1951 / MINING & METALLURGY DEPT. / LAFAYETTE COLLEGE. Easton, PA." The National Museum of American History received many objects in its mining and metallurgy collection from Lafayette College.
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
AG.MHI-MN-8782A
catalog number
MHI-MN-8782A
accession number
265669
This Skullgard helmet was manufactured by the Mine Safety Appliances Company of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania during the 20th century. The Skullgard brand helmet was developed by MSA in 1930.
Description (Brief)
This Skullgard helmet was manufactured by the Mine Safety Appliances Company of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania during the 20th century. The Skullgard brand helmet was developed by MSA in 1930. The hat is made of Bakelite plastic, with a metal lamp bracket protruding from the front that would have held an electric cap lamp.
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
AG.MHI-MN-9713
accession number
299568
catalog number
MHI-MN-9713
This Hard Boiled brand miner’s helmet was made by the E.D. Bullard Company of San Francisco, California after 1919. A leather and metal lamp bracket is mounted onto the front of the helmet that likely would have held a carbide lamp.
Description (Brief)
This Hard Boiled brand miner’s helmet was made by the E.D. Bullard Company of San Francisco, California after 1919. A leather and metal lamp bracket is mounted onto the front of the helmet that likely would have held a carbide lamp. Bullard was one of the first producers of protective hard hats, basing their original design off of the “doughboy” helmets worn by World War I soldiers. The helmet was made of canvas, glue, and black paint, and given the trademarked name “Hard Boiled” in because of the steam used in the manufacturing process to stiffen the leather.
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
AG.MHI-MN-9734
catalog number
MHI-MN-9734
accession number
299389
This Skullgard helmet was manufactured by the Mine Safety Appliances Company of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania during the 20th century. The Skullgard brand helmet was developed by MSA in 1930.
Description (Brief)
This Skullgard helmet was manufactured by the Mine Safety Appliances Company of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania during the 20th century. The Skullgard brand helmet was developed by MSA in 1930. The hat is made of Bakelite plastic with a leather and metal lamp bracket is attached to the front of the helmet, which probably would have held an electric lamp.
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
AG.MHI-MT-2681 [dup1]
accession number
115672
catalog number
MHI-MT-2681
This Skullgard helmet was manufactured by the Mine Safety Appliances Company of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania during the 20th century. The Skullgard brand helmet was developed by MSA in 1930.
Description (Brief)
This Skullgard helmet was manufactured by the Mine Safety Appliances Company of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania during the 20th century. The Skullgard brand helmet was developed by MSA in 1930. The hat is made of Bakelite plastic with a leather and metal lamp bracket is attached to the front of the helmet, which probably would have held an electric lamp.
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
AG.MHI-MT-2681 [dup2]
catalog number
MHI-MT-2681
accession number
115672
This Flexo Band Cool Cap miner’s cap was distributed by the Portable Lamp & Equipment Company of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania during the 20th century. The cap is made of reinforced leather with a dome comprised of upstanding ribs allowing for protection and ventilation.
Description (Brief)
This Flexo Band Cool Cap miner’s cap was distributed by the Portable Lamp & Equipment Company of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania during the 20th century. The cap is made of reinforced leather with a dome comprised of upstanding ribs allowing for protection and ventilation. A leather and metal lamp bracket is attached to the front of the cap. The bracket could have held an oil-wick lamp or a carbide lamp.
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
AG.MHI-MN-8181C
accession number
239148
catalog number
MHI-MN-8181C
This plastic Comfo-Cap brand miner’s helmet was manufactured by the Mine Safety Appliance Company of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania during the 20th century.
Description (Brief)
This plastic Comfo-Cap brand miner’s helmet was manufactured by the Mine Safety Appliance Company of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania during the 20th century. The MSA Company first registered their trademark for the Comfo-Cap in 1935 and continues to produce the helmet into the 21st century. The front of the helmet has a bracket for either a carbide mining lamp or electric lamp. This mining helmet has a low profile to avoid bumps, hard plastic to absorb impact, and its flat front served as an excellent mount for mining lights.
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
AG.MHI-MN-8181B
accession number
239148
catalog number
MHI-MN-8181B
This miner’s cap was made during the early 20th century by the T.R. Jones Company of Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. The cap is a Coal King brand of hat that the T.R. Jones Company produced.
Description (Brief)
This miner’s cap was made during the early 20th century by the T.R. Jones Company of Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. The cap is a Coal King brand of hat that the T.R. Jones Company produced. The hat is made of reinforced leather, with a thick leather brim, and a thick leather and metal lamp bracket on the front of the hat. The lamp bracket received patent number 1,490,831 on April 15, 1924. The bracket could hold either an oil-wick lamp or a carbide lamp. Originally, mining caps were worn to serve simply as a lamp holder. As miner safety became more of a concern hats began to take on the additional role of providing protection, as evidenced by the inner suspension and reinforced leather of this hat.
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
AG.MHI-MN-7914A
catalog number
MHI-MN-7914A
accession number
233577
This plastic Comfo-Cap brand miner’s helmet was manufactured by the Mine Safety Appliance Company of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania during the 20th century.
Description (Brief)
This plastic Comfo-Cap brand miner’s helmet was manufactured by the Mine Safety Appliance Company of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania during the 20th century. The MSA Company first registered their trademark for the Comfo-Cap in 1935 and continues to produce the helmet into the 21st century. The front of the helmet has a bracket for either a carbide mining lamp or electric lamp. This mining helmet has a low profile to avoid bumps, hard plastic to absorb impact, and its flat front served as an excellent mount for mining lights.
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
AG.MHI-MN-8097A
catalog number
MHI-MN-8097A
accession number
240639
This plastic Comfo-Cap brand miner’s helmet was manufactured by the Mine Safety Appliance Company of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania during the 20th century.
Description (Brief)
This plastic Comfo-Cap brand miner’s helmet was manufactured by the Mine Safety Appliance Company of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania during the 20th century. The MSA Company first registered their trademark for the Comfo-Cap in 1935 and continues to produce the helmet into the 21st century. The front of the helmet has a bracket for either a carbide mining lamp or electric lamp. This mining helmet has a low profile to avoid bumps, hard plastic to absorb impact, and its flat front served as an excellent mount for mining lights.
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
AG.MHI-MN-8097B
catalog number
MHI-MN-8097B
accession number
240639
This plastic Comfo-Cap brand miner’s helmet was manufactured by the Mine Safety Appliance Company of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania during the 20th century.
Description (Brief)
This plastic Comfo-Cap brand miner’s helmet was manufactured by the Mine Safety Appliance Company of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania during the 20th century. The MSA Company first registered their trademark for the Comfo-Cap in 1935 and continues to produce the helmet into the 21st century. The front of the helmet has a bracket for either a carbide mining lamp or electric lamp. This mining helmet has a low profile to avoid bumps, hard plastic to absorb impact, and its flat front served as an excellent mount for mining lights.
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
AG.MHI-MN-8097C
catalog number
MHI-MN-8097C
accession number
240639
This is a Flexo Band Cool Cap. The Flexo Band Cool Cap was patented by Albert A. Strauss around 1933. The cap is made of reinforced leather with a dome comprised of upstanding ribs allowing for protection and ventilation.
Description (Brief)
This is a Flexo Band Cool Cap. The Flexo Band Cool Cap was patented by Albert A. Strauss around 1933. The cap is made of reinforced leather with a dome comprised of upstanding ribs allowing for protection and ventilation. The Flexo Band Cool Cap was often colloquially referred to as a "turtle shell" helmet, due to its distinctive style. The Flexo Band Cool Cap was distributed by a few different companies during the 20th century, including the MSA Company and the Portable Lamp and Equipment Company. The leather and metal lamp bracket is attached to the front of the cap. The bracket could have held an oil-wick lamp or a carbide lamp.
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
AG.MHI-MN-8181D
accession number
239148
catalog number
MHI-MN-8181D
This plastic miner’s helmet would have been in use during the first half of the 20th century, after 1915. The helmet has a lamp bracket attached to the front which would have likely held an electric lamp.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
This plastic miner’s helmet would have been in use during the first half of the 20th century, after 1915. The helmet has a lamp bracket attached to the front which would have likely held an electric lamp.
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
AG.MHI-MN-8924
catalog number
MHI-MN-8924
accession number
260125
This plastic miner’s helmet would have been in use during the first half of the 20th century, after 1915. The helmet has a leather and metal lamp bracket attached to the front which would have likely held an oil-wick lamp.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
This plastic miner’s helmet would have been in use during the first half of the 20th century, after 1915. The helmet has a leather and metal lamp bracket attached to the front which would have likely held an oil-wick lamp.
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
AG.MHI-MN-9235B
accession number
268055
catalog number
MHI-MN-9235B
This electric cap lamp was made by the Concordia Electric Co. The lamp was powered by a battery enclosed in a self-locking steel case worn on the miner’s belt. A flexible cord, protected by a steel spring where it comes out of the battery, connected the battery to the cap lamp.
Description (Brief)
This electric cap lamp was made by the Concordia Electric Co. The lamp was powered by a battery enclosed in a self-locking steel case worn on the miner’s belt. A flexible cord, protected by a steel spring where it comes out of the battery, connected the battery to the cap lamp. This lamp is marked as permissible by the U.S. Bureau of Mines, and has an added cord for plugging into an electric outlet. This picture show the lamp attached to the miner’s cap.
Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
AG.MHI-MT-2683.02
accession number
115674
catalog number
MHI-MT-2683

Our collection database is a work in progress. We may update this record based on further research and review. Learn more about our approach to sharing our collection online.

If you would like to know how you can use content on this page, see the Smithsonian's Terms of Use. If you need to request an image for publication or other use, please visit Rights and Reproductions.