Hats, with a history dating back to 3000 BC, have served various purposes from religious to protective, heating, and social. As we celebrate National Hat Day, let’s explore five distinct hats that capture the essence of modern headwear, along with the IP contributions that shaped their success.
Bucket hat:
The bucket hat’s resurgence can be linked to designers like Kangol. The brand popularized the hat in the ’80s and ’90s.
Kangol holds trademarks on certain bucket hat designs, emphasizing the brand’s unique contributions to the hat’s popularity.
Fedora:
The fedora’s classic design has roots in early 20th-century fashion and evolved as a symbol of timeless elegance.
Christys’ London is one of the oldest hat makers in the world, dating back to 1773. While individual inventors may not be highlighted, the brand has played a role in shaping classic hat designs, including fedoras.
Beanie:
Beanies have ancient origins, but their modern popularity owes much to outdoor and sports enthusiasts.
While not patented in their traditional form, innovative materials and designs may be protected by patents, ensuring the durability and comfort of contemporary beanies.
Baseball Cap:
The baseball cap has a long history, with variations worn by baseball teams in the mid-19th century.
Brands like New Era have obtained patents for improvements in baseball cap design, including patented sweatband technologies.
Snapback Cap:
The modern snapback cap draws inspiration from earlier baseball caps. In the late 1980s and early 1990s, the fashion industry began experimenting with new styles, and the snapback cap emerged as a trendier and more adjustable alternative to the fitted baseball cap.
New Era contributed to the development of adjustable closures, and have been influential in shaping modern hat closures.
