Wikipedia

Stormy Kromer cap

TheStormy Kromer capis awoolenhat manufactured by Stormy Kromer Mercantile.[1]The hat is popular in theMidwestern United Statesand with hunters and outdoorsmen.[2][3]It is named for George "Stormy" Kromer (1876–1970), a semiprofessional baseball player fromKaukauna, Wisconsin,who later worked as arailroad engineer.Kromer lost many hats to the wind while working on trains, and in 1903, he asked his wife Ida (1877–1960) to make him a warm hat that would stay on more securely. She modified a baseball cap[4]into what became the Stormy Kromer cap by sewing on a pair of ear flaps.[2]A summer version, made frompillow ticking,[5]remains in use among modern American train engineers, and variants with red or bluepolka dotswere formerly popular in the early 20th century.[6]

Statue of a Stormy Kromer cap located near the factory inIronwood, Michigan

Due to popularity with other employees of the railroad, the Kromers formed the Kromer Cap Company in 1903 to produce the caps.[2][7]In 1919, due to ever increasing demand, the Kromers opened a factory inMilwaukee,Wisconsin.[3]George Kromer sold the company in 1965 to Richard Grossman.[8]In 2001, the Kromer Cap Company planned to cease production of Stormy Kromer caps.[2][9]The rights to the caps were purchased by Bob Jacquart, owner of Jacquart Fabric Products, and production moved toIronwood, Michigan.[1]Stormy Kromer Mercantile was formed, increasing production to over 50,000 caps annually from the previous 3000 to 6000 caps.[1][2]

PresidentBarack Obamawas presented with several Stormy Kromer caps when he visitedMarquette, Michigan,on February 10, 2011.[10]It has become a traditional garb in theUpper Peninsula.[11][12][dead link‍][13]

A version that is a "tip of the hat" to the hat's Wisconsin roots is available inGreen Bay Packersgreen with the team logo and sold throughLambeau Field.[14][dead link‍]

The hats are unusual in that they carry alifetime warrantyagainst defects, and a three-year "insurance policy"for events such as loss, once the product is registered.[15]Versions for women are available, and they are called the "Ida Kromer" or some variant of "Petal Pusher."[16]

See also

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References

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  1. ^abc"Stormy Kromer Mercantile".Jacquart Fabric Products.RetrievedNovember 1,2011.
  2. ^abcdeParker, Jameson (September–October 2009)."Sporting Life"(PDF).Sporting Classics.pp. 28–31.RetrievedNovember 1,2011.
  3. ^abPetzal, David E (August 2008)."Kromer Hat"(PDF).Field & Stream.2008 Gear Hall of Fame.RetrievedFebruary 19,2013.
  4. ^Wisconsin life
  5. ^Union Pacific engineer cap
  6. ^Kromer caps
  7. ^"Kromer Cap Co Inc".Walthers.RetrievedNovember 2,2011.
  8. ^Eckes 2009,p. 8.
  9. ^Wastler, Max."My Fall Look: The Original Stormy Kromer Cap, A Factory Visit".All Plaidout.RetrievedNovember 2,2011.
  10. ^Dzwonkowski, Ron (October 21, 2011)."Know any living legends? Stormy Kromer hat maker wants to honor one".Detroit Free Press.Archived fromthe originalon October 27, 2011.RetrievedNovember 1,2011.
  11. ^"The 8 Essential Winter Hats of a Yooper".Yooper Steez. February 27, 2008.RetrievedFebruary 17,2013.
  12. ^"U.P.'s Stormy Kromer hat sales take off".The Mining Journal.Marquette, MI.Associated Press.January 30, 2013.RetrievedFebruary 16,2013.
  13. ^"A doff of the cap to you Stormy Kromer!".SimplyAmerican.net.February 5, 2013.RetrievedFebruary 16,2013.
  14. ^Hajewski, Doris."Legendary Kromer in Lambeau lineup Cap expands Cheeseheads'".Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.RetrievedFebruary 17,2013.
  15. ^"Frequently Asked Questions".Stormy Kromer Mercantile.RetrievedFebruary 8,2013.
  16. ^"Women's Caps".Stormy Kromer.RetrievedFebruary 19,2013.

Further reading

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