Bullard, the Kentucky-based manufacturer of high-quality personal protective equipment and systems, announced that Edward W. Bullard will be inducted into the National Inventors Hall of Fame next month. E. W. is being recognized posthumously for his invention of the Hard Boiled® hard hat, the first commercially available industrial head protection device, in 1919.
Founded in San Francisco by E. W.’s father Edward Dickinson Bullard, the E.D. Bullard Co. originally supplied carbine lamps and mining equipment to gold and copper miners. Upon returning home from serving in the U.S. Army in France during WWI, E. W. began working for his family’s business, and it was during this time that he recognized a need for improved safety in the mines. Inspired by the steel doughboy helmet he had worn in the Army, E. W. designed the Hard Boiled hard hat for gold and copper miners.
Though created initially for workers in the mines, Bullard’s hard hat was quickly adopted by workers in other industries. The Hard Boiled hard hat grew exponentially in popularity, ultimately leading to Bullard’s close work with Joseph B. Strauss, engineer of the Golden Gate Bridge, to adapt Bullard hats to protect the bridge workers. Bullard hard hats were also used to protect workers on the Hoover Dam.
“For over 100 years, Bullard has been innovating and evolving our processes and our products to fit our customers’ ever-changing needs,” said Wells Bullard, CEO of Bullard. “Inspired by the vision and ingenuity of E. W. and his Hard Boiled hard hat, our team today follows a simple formula for success: watch, listen, learn. We watch our customers work and listen to their needs, and we learn about their specific job hazards, so that we can always provide them with the innovative products they need to go home safely at the end of the day.”
Today, Bullard, which relocated from California to Kentucky in 1972, is led by E. W. Bullard’s great-granddaughter Wells Bullard. The fifth-generation company, which still produces hard hats, has expanded to produce protective equipment and systems, including hard hats, fire helmets, respirators, and thermal imagers, for workers in a range of industries worldwide.
E. W. Bullard will be inducted into the National Inventors Hall of Fame at the 2022 Induction Event on May 5, 2022, in Washington, DC.
Related Stories
| Jun 3, 2011
BIM software helps Michigan college students improve building performance
With Autodesk Revit Architecture, Western Michigan University students model campus buildings for energy analysis, renovations and retrofits
| Feb 22, 2011
New EcoSpec Tile company offers recycled tiles
EcoSpec Tile LLC, established February 1, 2011, is a new tile manufacturing company started by a group consisting of experienced/time-tested tile professionals who collectively feel a strong responsibility to their industry and to their planet. The initial product offering includes sustainable tile material composed of 50% pre-consumer waste, 20% post-consumer waste and 30% new material recycled contents.
| Feb 15, 2011
New 2030 Challenge to include carbon footprint of building materials and products
Architecture 2030 has just broadened the scope of its 2030 Challenge, issuing an additional challenge regarding the climate impact of building products. The 2030 Challenge for Products aims to reduce the embodied carbon (meaning the carbon emissions equivalent) of building products 50% by 2030.
| Feb 11, 2011
Four Products That Stand Up to Hurricanes
What do a panelized wall system, a newly developed roof hatch, spray polyurethane foam, and a custom-made curtain wall have in common? They’ve been extensively researched and tested for their ability to take abuse from the likes of Hurricane Katrina.
| Feb 10, 2011
Green Plumbing Fixtures Take a Major Leap Forward
Today’s low-flow plumbing fixtures not only conserve water, they also provide convenience and ease of maintenance.
| Feb 10, 2011
Sloan Valve Co. Flushmate
Sloan Valve Co.’s Flushmate IV 1-gallon pressure-assist system uses air pressure to flush. Rather than pulling waste through the trapway, the system, which works with tank-style high-efficiency toilets, pushes the waste through at nearly three times the flow rate of gravity units. Large water surface area also helps the toilets stay clean longer.
| Feb 10, 2011
Delta WaterSense-labeled showerheads
Delta offers nine collections with WaterSense-labeled showerheads, which are equipped with droplet-enlarging technology that increases both water and energy savings. An Arzo Collection showerhead is pictured.
| Feb 10, 2011
Kohler urinals
Kohler offers urinals with three flush options to fit a variety of applications: standard 1-gallon, pint, or waterless.
