08/13/2026
Hard hats are a standard part of the jobsite today, but their history goes back more than 100 years.
After serving in World War I, Edward W. Bullard returned home and saw an opportunity to adapt the protective helmets worn by soldiers for use in industrial workplaces. In 1919, his company developed the "Hard Boiled Hat," made from steamed canvas, glue and black paint.
By the 1930s, hard hats were becoming an important part of construction safety. They were famously required during construction of the Golden Gate Bridge, helping establish head protection as a standard on major jobsites.
We've come a long way since steamed canvas and glue. Today's hard hats are made from materials designed to protect workers from impact, pe*******on and, depending on the type, electrical hazards.
The materials may have changed, but the purpose hasn't: protecting the people doing the work.
A pretty impressive history for something we put on every day.
