Leather Liner Chin Strap VII - Inspiration

Big Red Says:

Listen up Buttercup! Here's the rest of the story

So, TAKE FIVE!

1942 was a momentous year for the development of the "plastic" M-1 helmet liner. The Quartermaster had just inherited responsibility for liner development from the Ordnance Department and was determined to get this new liner into production as quickly as was practicable. Trials and tribulations abound as the Chicago Quartermaster Depot collaborates with civilian manufacturers to make the plastic liner a reality.

A total commitment and willing cooperation between the Army and the civilian firms involved was required, and together they successfully developed methods and techniques to make a totally new product out of materials, the properties of which they did not fully understand, based on specifications that were, at best, tentative, vague, and in a state of constant change.

Regardless of a firm's previous experience or lack thereof, the earnest tenacity demonstrated by their innovative contributions cannot be underestimated. The following facts about the development of liner components represent one such story.

Inspiration 

It is amazing to me when creative people are permitted to explore possible solutions to problems without hindrance, and often even more amazing than their solution is the source of their muse.

Garnett C. Skinner, manager of Scholl Manufacturing Company, attended the earliest liner development meetings and was one of the members asked to provide samples of potential solutions to the Army's current liner assembly issues.

Mr. Skinner contributed, in no small measure, to the look and function of the final liner inserts as we know them today. According to the story, he conceptualized the fixed-size headband as a partially leather-clad belt with an adjustment buckle. Later, while smoking a cigarette and fidgeting with a safety-match pack in his other hand, its closure function struck him as the inspiration for creating the spring clip closure he provided with his sample headband for attaching the band to the suspension.

During his flight back from Washington, he was fumbling with his safety belt when the buckle grabbed his attention. He then envisioned a miniature version of this cam lever-style wedge buckle system for use in adjusting the liner’s leather chin strap.

The United Carr Fastener Company conceived and developed another significant advancement in liner design. Their contribution was the advent of the garter stud and loop system, which allowed the liner's chin strap to become replaceable.

So, if Mr. Skinner’s muse was safety-match packs and safety belts, I wonder what Mr. Carr was thinking about? ...

Big Red Says!

FIVE'S OVER  -  MOVE OUT!