Diving Helmet
Production date
1939
Country
USA
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Object detail
Description
Miller & Dunn Divinhood Style No. 3, c. 1939
Shallow water diving helmet. Improved from earilier models, this helmet has 4 light (window) and allowed for greater freedom of head movement.
Shallow water diving helmet. Improved from earilier models, this helmet has 4 light (window) and allowed for greater freedom of head movement.
Classification
MARITIME TECHNOLOGY Diving Diver's helmet
Maker
Production date
1939
Production place
Measurements
H600mm x W310mm x D320mm
Media/Materials description
Copper, brass, glass
Signature/Marks
Manufacturer's name plaque (upper right side of hood):
DIVINHOOD STYLE 3
NAVY STANDARD
U.S. 1195793.1595908 AND FOREIGN PATENT
MILLER-DUNN CO.
MIAMI. FLA.
DIVINHOOD STYLE 3
NAVY STANDARD
U.S. 1195793.1595908 AND FOREIGN PATENT
MILLER-DUNN CO.
MIAMI. FLA.
History and use
This hood (helmet) is made of hand rolled copper, cylindrical in shape, domed top, with a rolled edge at the bottom of the apron (corselet) to conform with, and fit comfortably over the diver's shoulders, upper chest and back. A lifting (ducking) handle is riveted to the top of the helmet to facilitate handling. There is a single, large, rectangular plate glass viewing window (light) at the front of the helmet, which is protected by a four (4) strand glass guard. The front viewing window was made watertight by being set in soft wicking with white lead and further secured by eight (8) counter sunk screws. There are two (2) side lights and an upper helmet light above the front viewing window (light).
Four (4) square holes (two (2) each front and back) are pierced into the bottom of the apron to carry a bolted lead weight pack. A slight bulge in the rear of the hood was designed to allow greater movement of the head. There is a male threaded air inlet connection (the gooseneck) on the lower right side of the hood. A copper baffle plate inside the hood deflected air entering, causing it to pass across the face plate (front window/light) preventing fogging.
Miller & Dunn Ocean & Salvage Co. Miami, FL. was founded in 1914 with a focus on shallow water diving helmets (hoods) and simple equipment. Divinhood No. 1 was simplicity in its fundamental sense and was given the slogan 'Divinhoods - so simple anyone can use it'. Most commonly used with hand lever pumps in water less than ten (10) metres deep.
By 1927 the company had introduced its second style of hood, the Divinhood No. 2, which became the US Navy's official shallow water diving apparatus included as part of the ship's gear on many naval vessels.
Dinvinhoods were also popular amongst yachters and underwater naturalists.
In 1939, just before WWII, Divinhood No. 3 was introduced and was principally used by commercial and Navy divers worldwide for shallow water work. This hood (like the previous No. 2) was, once again, officially adopted by the US Navy.
Four (4) square holes (two (2) each front and back) are pierced into the bottom of the apron to carry a bolted lead weight pack. A slight bulge in the rear of the hood was designed to allow greater movement of the head. There is a male threaded air inlet connection (the gooseneck) on the lower right side of the hood. A copper baffle plate inside the hood deflected air entering, causing it to pass across the face plate (front window/light) preventing fogging.
Miller & Dunn Ocean & Salvage Co. Miami, FL. was founded in 1914 with a focus on shallow water diving helmets (hoods) and simple equipment. Divinhood No. 1 was simplicity in its fundamental sense and was given the slogan 'Divinhoods - so simple anyone can use it'. Most commonly used with hand lever pumps in water less than ten (10) metres deep.
By 1927 the company had introduced its second style of hood, the Divinhood No. 2, which became the US Navy's official shallow water diving apparatus included as part of the ship's gear on many naval vessels.
Dinvinhoods were also popular amongst yachters and underwater naturalists.
In 1939, just before WWII, Divinhood No. 3 was introduced and was principally used by commercial and Navy divers worldwide for shallow water work. This hood (like the previous No. 2) was, once again, officially adopted by the US Navy.
Associated person
Registration number
H3864
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