Hat, Hard
Object number2014.32.2 a-c
Artist
American Optical Company
Date1977
MediumPlastic; nylon; fabric; elastic; paper; ink
Credit LineGift of Pauline Shermar.
DescriptionYellow hard hat with detachable chin strap and instruction sheet.Dimensions(a) Height 6.75, Width 8.625, Depth 11.625;(b) Width 1, Length 14.375, Depth 0.875;
(c) Width 4.188, Length 8.938.
Inscriptionsa) Red plastic label on front with white raised text "POLLY SHERMAR". Clear decal on proper left side with red text "A / Part of the Allegheny Power System". Clear decal on proper right side with red text "West Penn Power". Four areas of text under hat bill, from left to right, "MODEL / B X 21"; circle with "77 / 78 / 79" at center; "AO"; and "CLASS A & B / ANSI Z89.1-1969 / ANSI Z89.2-1971 / GGG-H-142G / DCIS 541-5-6".
c) Top reads "A O BX21 / SAFETY CAP INSTRUCTIONS" and bottom reads "AO / American Optical / SAFETY PRODUCTS DIV. / SOUTHBRIDGE, MA 01550". Sheet communicates how to use and care for the hard hat.
Historical NotesCollection consists of West Penn Power Company commemorative dish as well as the business card, hard hat, and Zippo lighter that belonged to the donor, Pauline Shermar, who worked at West Penn Power from 1941 to 1985. She worked as an administrator and was primarily responsible for workmen's comp benefits. In 1963, the donor was featured in a national advertisement that ran in Time, Newsweek, and Look magazines for the electric industry. The ad was sponsored by investor owned electric light and power companies and was against having the government control the industry. West Penn Power began in 1907 as a merger of 53 Pennsylvania light and power plants, it is located in Greensburg, PA, and is now a subsidiary of FirstEnergy.
Previous owner
Pauline Shermar
Related institution
West Penn Power Company
Related institution
Allegheny Power System, Inc.
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Mine Safety Appliances Company
