Figure 1.--This 1932 photobooth portrait shows two boys in leather aviator caps. The automatic photobooth was invented in 1926. So photoboohs were still fairly new. We are not sure if they are brothers or friends, but would guess brothers as they are dressed so similarly. One of the boys has goggles with his cap. The aviator cap or helmet was a fall/winter style and this portrait was taken in February.

Aviator caps were a style of helmet/cap worn in the 1920s and 30s. The term helmet now has an image of metal or hard plastic (football), but it should be remembered that before World War II, American football was played with leather helmets to protect the head. We are not yet entirely sure about the chronology of these caps. We do do not yet have images from the 1910s or even early-20s showing aviator caps. We do note them in the late-20s and the 1930s. We suspect that it was World War I aces (1914-18), barn stormers, and and Charles Lindberg (1926) that helped to make them a popular style with American boys. We do not notice girls wearing them. Of course aviator caps were only one small part of the American fascination with aviation. All this publicity made aviation very exciting to boys in the 1920s. Barn stomers crossed the country, offering rides. It made flying and flying gear like the aviation cap seem very glamerous. Many American aviators in World War II, first experienced flight seeing a barnstomer and their father purchasing a $1 ride for them. A dollar was real money at the time. We notice boys wearing them in the 1920s and 30s. There may have been some worn in the 40s, but the 1920s and 30s are when they were most popular. This seems to have been a uniquely American style. A good example is an unidentified boy at an air show about 1930. They were essentially a cold-weather cap. They were not very comfortable to wear, except if course when it was very cold. We note slight differences in styles. They could be worn with the flaps up or down. They had a snap buckle which was engged at the crown.

Helmet

Aviator caps were a style of helmet/cap worn in the 1920s and 30s. The term helmet now has an image of metal or hard plastic, but it also includes padded headwear. It should be remembered that before World War II, American football was played with padded leather helmets to protect the head. Today helmet primarily refers to hard hats, soldier's headware, and sports headwear. Football helmets are now scientificall designed because of all the dangers involved.

Chronology

We are not yet entirely sure about the chronology of these caps. It was a rather short-lived style. We do do not yet have images from the 1910s or even early-20s showing aviator caps. It is hard to be precise as most of the images we have reundaed, we areonly estimating the dates. We do note them in the late-20s and the 1930s. We notice boys wearing them in the 1920s and 30s. There may have been some worn in the 40s, but the 1920s and 30s are when they were most popular.

Origins

We suspect that the primary inspirtion on these caps was World War I flying aces (1914-18). They captured the public imagination for gallentry and daring. And no group was biotre captivated than school age boys. Not well publicized was the very high death rate for World War I aviators. These helmets and googles were needed because pilots flew in open cockpits. Aafter the War, barn stormers and Charles Lindberg (1926) only helped fuel their popularity. Att thus helped to make them a popular style with American boys, albeit for a short period, after World War II of course plot headwear changed. .

Age

Aviator caps were worn mostly by primary (elementry) school boys. This means boys about 6-12 years of age. Most of the imge we have fond look to be in the 6-10 year group. We are fairly confident about this as we have noted quite a few snapshots of boys wearing them. hey seem to have been vdery popular with the boys this age. And most of the images swe have seen fall within this age group. We do note young men with motior cycles wearing them., but few teens in between. Of course the make-berlieve and play aspect is the strongest for this age group. But these caps were not just make-believe props. They actually were ideal for winter weather to keep heads snug asnd warm.

Gender

We do not notice girls wearing them.

Avition

Of course aviator caps were only one small part of the American fascination with aviation. All this publicity made aviation very exciting to boys in the 1920s. Barn stomers crossed the country, offering rides. It made flying and flying gear like the aviation cap seem very glamerous. Many American aviators in World War II, first experienced flight seeing a barnstomer and their father purchasing a $1 ride for them. A dollar was real money at the time.

Country Trends

This seems to have been a uniquely American style. We have not yet seen European exmples.

Examples

A good example is an unidentified boy at an air show about 1930.

Seasonality

They were essentially a cold-weather cap. They were not very comfortable to wear, except if course when it was very cold. But boys liked them and might wear them when it was not very cold.

Styling

We note slight differences in styles. flaps

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HBC

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Created: 2:36 AM 11/22/2009
Last updated: 7:46 PM 7/31/2023