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Artifact Spotlight: B.F. McDONALD CO. Aluminum Hard Hat

4/15/2018

25 Comments

 
Logging hard hats like the one pictured on the right  were used in the forests of Humboldt County by the thousands of men who worked in the logging industry from the 1940s into the 1980s. They are made of aluminum with an inner support system made of cotton thread and leather, to provide space between the logger's head and the helmet. They were originally modeled after helmets worn by soldiers in WWI. Over time, the aluminum hard hat has grown to represent more than workplace safety, but a way of life rooted in a place dependent on the forests for a livelihood.
Picture
Cat #: 2004.108.157
Logging has historically been known as one of the most dangerous trades to be part of, due to the sometimes unpredictable type of work. Falling branches, broken tools, and operator error were hazards of the trade that could (and did) gravely injure or kill workers. The development and use of the Hard Hat helped to protect workers from many of the dangers of working as a logger. Above, you can see a picture of two workers in a tractor, both wearing aluminum hard hats similar to the one in the museum collection.
Picture
Georgia-Pacific Logger with Chainsaw and Aluminum Hard Hat. HSU Humboldt Room, Boyle Collection Cat #:1999.03.0691
The Hard Hats, symbolic of an industry integral to Humboldt County, also appear in the protests surrounding the expansion of Redwood National Park in 1978, pictured below. This protest was part of a larger event which consisted of a a group of redwood loggers driving their loaded logging trucks from Humboldt County to Washington DC to protest at the Capitol. This journey was documented in the film "Enough is Enough", which can be viewed online for free here. 
Picture
Photo from protests against the 1978 expansion of Redwood National Park. Dolores Seaman Collection, Cat #: 2004.108.222
Today, these hard hats still have their presence among people linked to the logging community of the mid 20th century, as the helmets appear as part of Humboldt State's Logging Sports contingent that appear and participate in the HSU Football games by dressing as Lumberjacks and revving chainsaws.
Picture
Nick Bollier, HSU Logging Sports Team, pictured in a 2012 New York Time Article titled "At Humboldt State, Revved Up for Success"

Keep an eye out for this hard hat in our upcoming exhibit The Redwoods Provide(d): The Story of Redwood National and State Parks, opening July 7, 2018

Information for this article was found:
Bullard's Hard Hats
25 Comments
martin
6/26/2019 05:19:12 pm

I have one of these hard hats that my grandfather used back in the 40's. I'm would like to replace the inner support system. Would you know where I could find one?

Reply
Don Nance
1/4/2021 01:03:36 pm

I have discovered a place you can get a new liner for your McDonald six point hard hat:
Westcoast Saw <[email protected]>

Reply
fred link
4/9/2024 07:31:36 pm

cggjvhjnbjbjjkk

Paul Bush
12/5/2022 01:33:19 pm

West Coast saw has the 6-point liner

Reply
John whidden
1/11/2025 10:09:47 am

Need a new support harness for alum hard hat

Reply
Texas link
3/11/2021 09:46:46 am

Good readd

Reply
Don Nance
3/12/2021 08:15:47 am

I have ordered two an they work great. I always liked my old tin hat and could never stand the plastic ones.

Reply
Anonymous
7/27/2021 11:50:59 pm

My great grandpa is Biff McDonald <3

Reply
Dean
8/14/2022 04:17:22 pm

Did your grandpa invent the hardhat? Where was he from? Do you have a relative named Charna Gilmore?

Thanks for your time.

Reply
Don Nance
7/28/2021 01:15:20 pm

Your Grandpa sure made a great hard hat. I got new suspensions and wear it every day. I don't like plastic hats.

Reply
Angsioco
9/9/2021 10:23:34 pm

I have one of this hat , There's a engrave B.F. McDONALD CO Los Angeles and another USN-Noy 79345 and
US PATENTS 2,177,145 2,248,366
2,415,214 D 118,432
2,416,529

Reply
ELIGIO
11/10/2022 04:16:05 pm

I got also from my father who works in LEPANTO CONSOLIDATEd COMpany,according to him ,it was given to him by a friend in 1960 when americans are the management in said company during american occuoation here in the philippines.

Reply
Rodney, Mcgauley link
9/15/2023 11:29:54 pm

LA Los Angeles heart out McDonald’s

Reply
Don Nance
9/16/2023 08:40:43 am

It is surprising how many people are still using these hard hats. I am so glad Westcoast saw started making suspension, I think they are better than the originals. Nice to have a source to fix them!

Don Nance
9/10/2021 07:26:03 am

I have never seen one with the USN on it, must be rare. Sure are good tin hats.

Reply
Brandt McCurry
9/25/2021 12:11:58 pm


After my grandfather passed, the home was picked over by the children and grandchildren. I went through the tool shed and located the Mcdonald 6 point from his time in the CC camp. It always hung next to his camp photo in Louisiana. His initials are stamped on the inside.

Reply
Don Nance
9/25/2021 05:17:30 pm

That is a part of your families history, glad you found it and saved it. I liked your story about your Grandad.

Reply
Brian Ashley
11/27/2021 05:05:14 pm

I have one my great grandfather used. I was told on the construction of the Golden gate bridge or Bay Bridge. Memory is fuzzy.
It has BF McDonald and USMC stamped in it. Someone told me years ago it was issued by the military during FDRs Infrastructure days. Is anybody able to confirm this? Or was Grandpa Pete a logger? He lived in SFO when I'd go see him as a small boy.

Reply
Connor Ritter link
6/2/2022 07:51:01 am

Appreciate youur blog post

Reply
Don Nance
6/3/2022 07:32:02 am

I have aquired another McDonald hard hat in like new condition. They are the most comfortable and coolest hard hats I have ever used. The new suspensions from West Coast Saws made their use once again possible.

Reply
ashikur link
7/30/2022 08:52:44 pm

Safety is a priority at all times. You must keep yourself protected and away from harm no matter where you go or what you do. Risks and dangers exist outdoors, in the workplace, and even at home.

To avoid accidents, you must establish precautionary measures and safety protocols. Are you find the full brim hard hats that are not only extremely powerful but also super comfortable, then you should try a most comfortable hard hat.
https://oursafetysecurity.com/most-comfortable-hard-hat/

Reply
Ashikur link
8/6/2022 09:23:41 pm

Let’s go know about the most comfortable hard hat. Safety is a priority at all times. You must keep yourself protected and away from harm no matter where you go or what you do. Risks and dangers exist outdoors, in the workplace, and even at home.

To avoid accidents, you must establish precautionary measures and safety protocols. Are you find the full brim hard hats that are not only extremely powerful but also super comfortable, then you should try a most comfortable hard hat.
https://oursafetysecurity.com/most-comfortable-hard-hat/

Reply
Ashikur link
9/5/2022 10:11:23 am

If you are looking for full brim hard hats that are not only ultra-strong but also super comfortable, then you should try the kevlar hard hat. This hard hat features modern technology that makes it ideal for industrial and construction use.

These hats come with Para amid synthetic fiber, which is the reason for their super-strong body. DAX Hard Hat, for example, is made with aerospace-grade carbon fiber and Kevlar. Kevlar ensures that the hat’s safety is not compromised; why?
https://oursafetysecurity.com/kevlar-hard-hat/

Reply
LUIS H.
5/11/2024 12:39:23 pm

Quiero conocer la historia de la empresa BF Mc Donald Co., fabricante de los cascos de aluminio. Gracias.

Reply
Noah H
7/27/2024 04:25:42 pm

I recently scored on a Bf McDonald aluminum hard hat at a boutique (surprisingly) and written on the inside of the helmet is a guys name. “W.J. Forsythe” anyone have any ideas on how I could possibly track down the family? Seems almost impossible but worth a shot! Thanks in advance!

Reply



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