Garry contributed the following information:

"I built this helmet in the early 1980's, while still working as a Journeyman Master Diver for the union in Florida. I have built diving helmets for more than 20 years. The helmet in the picture was made of glass fiber and stainless steel, there 
was very little brass in it. In contrast the rat hat was glass fiber and chromed brass. When we had no diving work, my tender, Jeff Brush, and I experimented with different hat designs and you are showing an early one. 

Jeff built the shell using a Latex mold. Latex didn't work very well: it had stability and repeatability problems. So we abandoned that idea and went to a conventional fiberglass mold. I did all the stainless cutting, shaping and 
welding, but never used stainless again as it is very hard to cut and grind. 
All my other hats had chrome coated brass parts."

Thanks ones again Gary !

This producer has written a book: "history of the iron suit". Order it from our Souvenir shop

• last edited on October 4th 2002