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Description
This is an original WWII U.S. welder's helmet, as worn by "Winnie the Welder", representing thousands of female war workers who stepped into critical roles at naval shipyards previously held by men who had since enlisted in the Armed Services. It was produced by General Electric Co. of Schenectady, New York, and is marked on its top "WELDERS HELMET CAT.9IX631, TO REPLACE WELDER'S GLASS, FOR LIGHT SHADE ORDER #10, FOR DARK SHADE ORDER #12, GENERAL ELECTRIC CO., U.S.A.". It is constructed of black vulcanized fiber and features wire mesh-covered ventilation holes and a moveable lens shutter, marked "PAT. 2,055,117", which was granted by the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office on September 22, 1936. The interior retains its original chin rest and headband, adjustable by a knob located at the rear. The adjustment knob is marked "PATENTS 2,205,741, 2,205,742", both of which were granted on June 25, 1940. Remnants of its original sticker label are still visible inside, a portion of which has since come unadhered but is still present. This same model of helmet is worn by "Vera" in Air Reduction Sales Company's "Seamstresses of Steel" advertisement, published in National Geographic's February 1945 issue (shown in the final image).
Provenance
Private Collection, Beech Grove, Indiana
Condition Report
Fair
Good
Excellent
This welder's helmet is in good, used condition. The lens shutter's hinges still function; however, the glass has discolored with age and there is a small crack in the fiber located just above the lens' frame. There is some spray paint residue on the wearer's left side. The head harness shows some signs of damage as well as repairs.
