Pith helmet - a historical attribute that has survived to our times

2024 Author: Priscilla Miln | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 00:21

Practically in any adventure movie - about safari conquerors and impenetrable jungles - you can see an important attribute that its heroes wear - a pith helmet. This "gift from Africa", a solar helmet or a safari helmet, as people called it, in fact, can be not just an element of a "tropical entourage", but rather widely used in the daily life of a modern person.

A bit of history

The appearance of this item in everyday life is attributed to the beginning of the 19th century. And already in the 40s, it becomes quite widespread and acquires a standardized form. The pith helmet during this period of time is a headdress made from cork growing under the bark of trees, and covered with a white fabric cover that protects from the sun.

A model was developed in England specifically for the personnel of the colonial troops who served in the tropics and hot countries. Later, in the 70s, colorhelmets changed to brown and khaki - this was facilitated by the war with the Zulus. The English police, by the way, still use this piece of uniform in their full dress to this day.

The colonial troops of France began to be supplied with similar headdresses (they differed from their English counterparts in wide brim) only in 1878. And in 1881, the United States began to supply its army with pith helmets.

Civil use of a helmet

And among civilians, the pith helmet found its use. Photos of models of this headdress, reviews of real users show that it can be quite practical and even a necessary thing. It protects the head and face quite well from mechanical damage and can be used for trips to the forest, to the river, and to the country house. The wide brim of the helmet protects against scratches and damage to the face from branches and from rain, preventing water from penetrating the collar. According to the reviews of the owners, it is possible to get wet through, being in this headdress, only after three hours of continuous rain. In addition, it is very light, even wearing it for a long time does not cause discomfort to the head.

Very often you can find a pith helmet on the inhabitants of Vietnam - for them it has become an ordinary headdress, akin to a panama or a cap used in everyday life. For the colonial troops of English soldiers in the Commonwe alth, this item is an integral badge of identification. But the constant wearing of a pith helmet by the soldiers of the British colonial troops is just a well-established stereotype.

A pith helmet for a child - an item for games or real protection?

Children are great dreamers, and in their games they often try to imitate the heroes of their favorite movies.

Buy or make your own pith helmet will make your child feel like a true traveler, avid hunter and great safari conqueror. Boys who are fond of history will definitely try on the role of a soldier in the French army in Indochina. If we talk about the practical side of the headgear, then here we can note many of its advantages. The helmet is an excellent protector from the hot sun and rain during long rafting and hiking, the cork structure perfectly maintains a comfortable head temperature, does not lend itself to deformation and getting wet. If a child is an avid tourist, then making a pith helmet with your own hands for him or buying it in a specialized store will be the right decision for caring parents.

Fall and shock protection

You can use such a helmet for very young children. Toddlers who are actively beginning to explore the world - learning to get up, crawl, walk, inevitably face frequent falls and bumps. If the possibility of injury worries parents, then you can take care of safety in a timely manner. A pith helmet in this case will do an excellent job of protecting the baby's head during unsuccessful falls - it will protect it from stuffing cones and getting more serious injuries, such as concussion. But whateverno headdress was convenient, light and comfortable, it should be remembered that many kids do not favor them and try in every possible way to pull them off their heads. Therefore, before buying, it would be wise to try it on a child and understand how ready he is to be in it.