Fire Helmet, "Empire Hook & Ladder Co. No. 1"
date: label: date made
content: late 19th century
name: label: maker
content: Migeod Company
notes: label: Description
content: The traditional American leather firefighter’s helmet with its distinctive long rear brim, frontpiece, and crest adornment was first developed around 1821-1836 in New York City. Henry T. Gratacap, a New York City luggage maker by trade, is often credited as the developer of this style of fire helmet. Gratacap created a specially treated leather helmet with a segmented “comb” design that led to unparalleled durability and strength. The elongated rear brim (also known as a duckbill or beavertail) and frontpiece were 19th century innovations that remain the most identifiable feature of firefighter’s helmets. The body of the helmet was primarily designed to deflect falling debris, the rear brim prevented water from running down firefighters’ backs, and their sturdy crowns could aid, if necessary, in breaking windows.
label: Description
content: This leather helmet was worn by a member of the Empire Hook and Ladder Company No. 1 of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Organized in 1851, the company was active until 1871 when Philadelphia’s paid firefighting department was established. It was manufactured by John H. Migeod of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in the late 19th century. The helmet has eight combs and is painted white, which has yellowed and is flaking in several areas. A metal sea horse figure serves as a frontpiece holder. The leather frontpiece is painted tan, with a red “1” and crossed hook and ladder in the center and the words “EMPIRE” on a banner at the top of the frontpiece. A paper name tag inside of the helmet reads “J. Byrned.”
label: Location
content: Currently not on view
place: label: place made
content: United States
setName: label: See more items in
content: Home and Community Life: Fire Fighting and Law Enforcement
label: See more items in
content: Clothing & Accessories
label: See more items in
content: Work
label: See more items in
content: Firefighting Collection
label: See more items in
content: Fire Helmets
creditLine: label: Credit Line
content: Gift of CIGNA Museum and Art Collection
dataSource: label: Data Source
content: National Museum of American History
identifier: label: ID Number
content: 2005.0233.0210
label: accession number
content: 2005.0233
label: catalog number
content: 2005.0233.0210
objectType: label: Object Name
content: helmet, fire
physicalDescription: label: Physical Description
content: leather (overall material)
label: Measurements
content: overall: 8 3/4 in x 11 1/2 in x 14 1/2 in; 22.225 cm x 29.21 cm x 36.83 cm