Ben Miller, a commercial diver for over 11 years in the offshore oil fields of Louisiana, designed each piece of equipment with the concern and expertise of a seasoned veteran. He personally tested each design in the field as he earned his living as a deep-sea diver.
Benjamin Arthur Miller was born on december 4 1942. He started diving in Louisiana in 1967. He built his own diving helmet of hand laid fiberglass. The 100 series bronze Miller Helmet was developed in 1969. In 1970 Miller designed his weight belt buckle with stainless steel torsion spring, on a diving crew bus, returning from a job in Grand Isle. In 1971 he designed the first heavy-duty diving harness, constructed with stainless steel rivets and washer plates and all stainless hardware.
Backpacks and various models followed in 1973 thus creating a
state-of-the-art for the industry. In the past 30 years he has upgraded the design of his
helmets and gear, keeping the tradition of durability, safety and easy maintenance. Each
solid bronze helmet was handcrafted by Miller, a slow process in contrast to today's
hurry-up society, but Ben would not compromise his hand made quality.
Miller 100 series
A Miller 100 helmet. |
Miller 200 series
Miller 200 helmet from the early
1970's.
Miller 200/400 series
A Miller 200/400 series converted helmet. Courtesy of our buddy and offshore diver Jess Sullivan |
Miller 300 series
A Miller 300
polished so hard it scares off the fish while you are welding ! Fitted
with the KMB-10 regulator. |
Miller 400 series
The Miller 400 is on
the market today. The face guard is optional and used to connect the welding shield.
Production and marketing was recently taken over by KMDSI.
Miller 400 series "John Deere"
Nickname
"John Deere", caused by the typical green colour the diver gave
his helmet. |
Some other Miller equipment on the market today: Miller solid bronze Diving Helmet and accessories Complete line of Diving Harness and Back Packs: Miller Standard harness, Miller Bell Harness, Miller Backpack, Miller Bell/Backpack, Miller North Sea Bell/backpack, Mark 20 US Navy Harness, Miller Commercial Weight Belt, Miller Quick Release Buckle.
Bert Dodde from The Netherlands after a dive with his Miller 400 |
We
were informed by Ben's wife Jan that Ben had died during a
holiday in Peru. |
Learn all about Ben in the Hall of Fame.