Fireman's Helmet

Fighfighters helmets were introduced in the 1830's to help protect them against falling cinders and debris

The firefighter's helmet was originally made of leather, then brass, then cork, then steel, then aluminium, then thermoplastic, then a composite of all sorts of materials each adding different protection against hazard a modern firefighter might face 

In the 1930's as electricity became a hazard so brass was abandoned and cork helmets with a rubber coating were introduced as this one. 

Metal military-style helmets came back in world war II 

Helmet at least in the UK are yellow, but some countries the colour is used to denote rank in the fire service.

This helmet was purchased from an auction site, is very tatty some of the finish as worn off, but it was a bargain purchase.

Green Pith Helmet

This Pith, although it doesn't look it in these photos, is green or dark Khaki.

It also had a 5 pointed star badge on red background originally making it a replica of an NVA helmet worn in the Vietnamese war. 

(NVA = North Vietnamese Army)

These helmets continued to be used in Vietnam until early 21st Century

Gifted to my hat collection as Christmas present.

The Cork Hat

This tourist only gift hat was brought back from Australia by my globe trotting mother about 10 years ago.

A basic bucket hat with corks dangling from the rim in theory to keep away blow flies from Australians as they travelled through the Outback, I'm sure it works to some extent.

The Cork Hat has been relegated to a novelty item.

The original cork hats had the corks dangling from a slouch hat or bush hat which is proper stiff brimmed felt hat.