Dictionary Definition
Extensive Definition
Stetson hats or Stetsons, sometimes known simply
as cowboy hats, refers to a brand name and not a type of hat. The John
B. Stetson Company of St.
Joseph, Missouri, founded by John B.
Stetson (1830-1906, USA), is the manufacturer of one of the
more famous variants of the cowboy hat: a felt hat with a tall
crown and very wide brim. It functions to protect its wearer's eyes
from the sun, and can also double as a water bowl.
There are two versions of the history associated
with the Stetson hat. The first is the most widely held belief.
This version states that in the 1860s Stetson created a rugged hat
for himself made from thick beaver fur felt while panning for gold in
Colorado. According to legend, Stetson invented the hat while on a
hunting trip while showing his companions how he could make cloth
out of fur without weaving. Stetson made an unusually large hat
from fur-felt he made from hides collected on the trip, and wore
the hat for the remainder of the expedition. Although initially
worn as a joke, Stetson soon grew fond of the hat for its ability
to protect its wearer from the elements. It had a wide brim for
protection from the elements, a high crown to keep an insulating
pocket of air on the head, and a waterproof lining so the hat could
be used to carry water.
Studies have shown however that in fact, there is
evidence to show that the 'Stetson' hat was actually originally
designed by Christy's Hats from Frampton
Cotterell, Bristol, England.
Bristol
University lecturer John Moore, said: "Few people know that the
ten gallon hat was invented in Frampton Cotterell but it's well
documented in the records of the hatmakers who built and owned the
factory last century J. B. Stetson fought a long patent case with
Christy's - and lost. The result was that he had to pay a licence
fee to market the famous Stetson hat."
Stetson might have lost, but he won in the long
term. That style of hat is known universally as a Stetson, and
Christy's role is nearly forgotten.
Christy's famous hat factory in Park Lane, which
once employed a quarter of Frampton
Cotterell residents, is now a listed
building and a spacious house. Christy's built their factory in
1812 in an area where hatting was already a major cottage industry
The main business was trading with the West Indies, making large
brimmed felt hats for slaves harvesting sugar cane in the rainy
season.
The hat was however more popular in the U.S. The
hat was first sold in Central
City, Colorado in 1865 in a style called the "Boss of the
Plains,".
In 1869 Stetson returned to Philadelphia
to found his hat company, which produced high quality hats for
outdoor use.
By 1886 Stetson's hat company was the largest in
the world, and had mechanized the hat-making industry.
The
Royal Canadian Mounted Police Red Serge
dress
uniform includes a Stetson with a flat brim. The Stetson was
first used unofficially by the North West Mounted Police, in place
of the traditional white pith helmet.
The colour for the RCMP Stetson is sometimes referred to as
"Belgian Belly", it is a reddish buff, pastel like colour of the
underfur of the Belgian Hare. It is also a very little used "second
name" for the Stetson. Although called a Stetson, the hat type
should be considered as a campaign
hat.
In the Second Boer
War, the flat brimmed Stetson became the standard issue of the
second Canadian Contingent, becoming recognized throughout the
British
Empire as a symbol of Canada. The Stetson
hat became a part of the uniform of the Royal North West Mounted
Police, which later became the
Royal Canadian Mounted Police.
The Legion
of Frontiersmen created in 1905 in England also wore the
Stetson. The South
African Constabulary organised by
Robert Baden-Powell, 1st Baron Baden-Powell in 1901 wore the
Stetson.
Stetson
University and
Stetson University College of Law in Florida were named after
John B. Stetson in 1899 for his contributions to the school.
In some versions of the famous American folk
ballad "Stack A Lee"
Billy Lyons is killed by Stack A Lee over a Stetson hat.
See also
External links
Stetson in German: Stetson
Stetson in French: Stetson
Stetson in Norwegian: Stetson
Stetson in Swedish:
Stetsonhatt