In today’s safety-obsessed world, it seems like we might as well be wearing helmets while going about our daily lives. Well, it turns out someone thought of that already… over five decades ago. Introducing the Buco Helmet-Hat: designed specifically as an automobile safety accessory.
Buco ad from 1952. The firm’s jackets are now highly collectible.
This wasn’t a crackpot product from a fly-by-night company, either. Joseph Buegeleisen Co. had produced “Buco” motorcycle jackets and other biker accessories since the 1930s, before focusing on exclusively on helmets starting in 1958.
The firm’s helmets were well-regarded at the time, developed with assistance from materials scientists at several Michigan universities. Buco decided to capitalize on the growing concern for automobile safety in the mid-1960s with the Helmet-Hat, noting that “72 percent of automobile injury accidents involve the head.”
Joseph Buegeleisen Co. gave it a good try — they produced Helmet-Hat styles for both men and women, and the company enlisted Indy 500 veteran Rodger Ward as a spokesman. But try as they may, Buco couldn’t quite make helmets a popular auto safety feature.
Helmet-Hats may have been quickly forgotten, but at least they left us with some good promotional material to enjoy.
So what is a helmet protecting against in a convertible? Rollovers? Stray debris falling off a truck?
Since most cars in the fifties lacked seat belts, convertible passengers could easily end up sliding down the pavement in an accident, just like motorcycle riders. Therefore, motorcycle style head protection made a lot of sense.
Currently, rollover accidents are a big contributor to highway deaths, and I’d imagine helmet use could reduce that by at least 50%, especially in cases where the occupant is flung out of the vehicle. Still, I don’t plan on wearing a helmet outside of track use.
Ha. Seems like that somewhat defeats the purpose of a small British roadster.
But the basic concept lives on; you can buy hardhats that look like cowboy hats.
In the time before ROPS became mandated on tractors, many farmers wore pith helmets emblazoned with their tractor brand of choice as their hot weather hat…apparently. In practice, a straw hat seems more likely.
Apart from looking a tad ungainly (I’ll give them credit for trying, though), perhaps this headgear was also partly a victim of bad timing. By the 1960s, wearing hats in public was starting fall from fashion.
Without a chin strap, how is his “helmet-hat” going to stay on in a crash or rollover?
The ad text makes reference to some type of strap, but as I read the italicized text, use was optional:
“Hold down harness for stay on security, adjustable, stores as part of trim”
The ladies’ versions were strapped down by the scarf — I’m not entirely sure if the scarf was the only thing strapping down the helmet (which hardly seems effective), or whether it concealed a legitimate strap underneath.
But in all versions the straps appear to have been easily removed. The picture below shows what the men’s fedora version looks like with the strap in place:
A strap would not be needed. As you see the accident unfold in front of you,
merely hold the top of the helmet down, with the palm of your hand.
That leaves one hand free to keep your can of pop secure in the cupholder.
It’s looks virtually identical to horse riding helmets of the day, I wouldn’t be surprised if that’s the origin and Buco, in true marketing fashion was trying for a line extension that required minimal product changes.
Ah, Northland Center! A shadow of its former self, but it had a good run:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Northland_Center
I like having airbags and shoulder belts, but will take my chances not wearing a helmet whilst driving…
The woman’s style is interesting since it appears that there are holes in the side that a scarf passes through to become the strap that holds it on as well. Great for the fashion conscious woman who wants to match her outfit or mood, but questionable in my mind as to how well it would function as a strap. I presume most didn’t a loose knot at best.
My one ride in an MG led to a major case of head sunburn, so I wholeheartedly endorse this vital safety measure. 😉
Buco made leather jackets into the 70s from their Detroit and later Southfield, Mich. headquarters. They were later sold and then offshored production and, well, we all know how that went. Their leather jackets, esp. the horsehide ones, are extremely collectable, although more commonly found in the 34-40 size range than today’s 40-48 or more.
If those two people hopped out of their MGB and walked into a bar wearing those hats, they’d really NEED the protection. So maybe the hats have a purpose, but the purpose doesn’t come into play unless you’re wearing the hat.
Don’t let the hipsters see this.
A noble idea, but one doomed to failure. For some reason Americans are loath to adopt any non-passive safety features. Just look how long it took for widespread simple seatbelt use to occur. And that was prompted by the prospect of fines and annoying chimes and buzzers. I can just imagine ladies going out for the night strapping their helmet on over their coiffed hair. As for passive safety items like airbags, collapsible steering columns, crumple zones and high tech features like adaptive cruise control and lane departure warnings, better make them standard because Americans won’t pay extra for them. Ford found this out in the mid ‘50’s when its focus on safety features was a dud in the marketplace. It was “bad luck” to think about accidents and auto safety, something that still persists today.
New car buyers in 2021 pay attention to passive safety.
Where can I buy one of these with a larger brim?