Stetson History
In 1865, with $100, John B. Stetson rented a small room, bought the tools he needed, bought $10 worth of fur and the John B. Stetson Hat Company was born. A year later the "Hat of the West" or the now famous "Boss of the Plains" hat was born and the name Stetson was on its way to becoming the mark of quality, durability, innovation and beauty.
John B. Stetson experienced trying times in his life but after it all he relied on the one thing he did exceptionally well, making hats. He was trained by his father, a master hatter, and applied his skills and knowledge to a trade that, at the time was not held in high regard.
A hatter was seen as unreliable, lazy, or aloof, only looking to make his money and go have fun. John B. Stetson changed all that and built one of America's most well-known and successful businesses. The longevity and history of the John B. Stetson Company is based on innovation and quality! John B. Stetson led the hat industry his entire career by designing new hat styles for fashion and function. When it came to quality it was his creed and for the past 130 years it has so stamped the product that the name and the word are synonymous.
Today the Stetson hat factory in Garland, Texas is one of the largest in the country and produces a line of hats in hundreds of different styles and colors. In spite of this size, however, classic styling and premium quality remain as the driving forces behind each and every hat. As a result, Stetson hats are the most well known hats in the world. Wherever and whenever hats are discussed Stetson will be mentioned.
Because of its authentic American heritage, Stetson remains as a part of history and, for the same reason will continue into the future.
Stetson. It's not just a hat; it's the hat.
How Felt Hats Are Made
Based on a customer's order, a felt hat body is steam blocked to a specific head size, crown shape and brim width. Then a stiffening machine is used to apply shellac to the brims for firmness. The crown iron machine is used to tighten and to smooth the felt before finishing.
The brim is cut to the customers desired width before finishing. The brims are greased and pounced many rounds, using very fine sandpaper to achieve the proper finish. D-machines are used to grease and pounce the crowns. This is the finishing operation where the felt is sanded down to create a very smooth and fine finish for the felt hat.
A specially mixed powder, matched to the hat color, is hand rubbed into the body to enhance and even the tone.
Crown press machines are used to shape the crowns. Steam is used to restore the smooth finish and to clean the hat in the inspection line before a custom made 103 Singer sewing machine is used to sew the lining into the hat.
Boxes uniquely designed to protect the hat in transit receive the finished product.
