Innovation of the Era!
Early to Mid 1800s

Hats off to the New Yorker

H.T. Gratacap had carved a niche in the ocean transit luggage market, making his luggage from specially treated leather so it would offer superior durability and withstand wetness without rotting. Being a volunteer firefighter, he understood the need to provide firefighters with better head protection. Gratacap improved upon the leather fire cap design by Jacobus Turk (circa 1740) and invented the New Yorker style helmet in 1836.
Although the New Yorker helmet has been re-engineered many times through the years, it is still produced today.