Figure 1.--These Cubs, probably in the 1970s, wears their caps aboard an airplane. The Cub cap continued virtually unchanged for most of the 20th century. The only important change was that the badge of the front of the cap was changed to the international Scout symbol, the Fleur-d-lis.

A green peaked cap with yellow piping was chosen for the Cubs, with cloth Wolf's head badge in front. The style was similar to the school caps commonly wore by English schoolboys. The caps, always green , were flatter then, with narrow yellow cordage. This same cap was adopted by Cubs all over the world. It was adopted by American Cubs, but in different colors. The Cub cap continued virtually unchanged for most of the 20th century. The only important change was that the badge of the front of the cap was changed to the international Scout symbol, the Fleur-d-lis. The cap was commonly worn by English Cubs through the 1970s, but began to be less commonly used in the 1980s.

Selection

A peaked cap based on the school cap commonly worn by British school boys was chosen for the Cub cap. I have no information on the selection process. Presumbably Baden Powell was deeply involved, but I have no details at this time. The history here would be interesting to add, but I have not yet found an informative source.

Design

The Cub was a standard school peaked cap done in green with yellow piping and a top button. The same cap was used for the rest of the 20th century, with minor changes in the heihth of the crown and the size of the bill. The cap was always green , always green. The original cap were flatter then the caps seen here with narrower yellow cordage.

Badge and Pins

The cap had a badge at the front. It was a cloth Wolf's head badge. I believe the wolf was done in red. We notice this badge through the 1950s. It was eventually changed to a fleur-de-lis. The Cub cap continued virtually unchanged for most of the 20th century. The only important change was that the badge of the front of the cap was changed to the international Scout symbol, the Fleur-de-lis. I'm not sure just when the change was made. The flur=de-lis cap badge can be seen on the caps of the Cubs seen here in the image (figure 1). We have noted some Cubs with pins such as stars on their caps in addition to the Cub badge. I'm not sure if this was officially permitted or just that some Cubs did this on their own.

Influence

English Scout founded the first Cub units. The style was adopted by Cubs all over the world when they created their Cub units. It was adopted by American Cubs, but in different colors.

Chronology

The cap was commonly worn by English Cubs through the 1970s, but began to be less commonly used in the 1980s.