The Scottish Mountain Heritage Collection
936.2011.1
Inflatable waistcoat
29/09/2011
Hermione Cooper
29/09/2011
Pale blue waistcoat with black piping and black zip. Black plastic blowing inflater.
nylon, plastic
72(l) x 76(w) cms
1
Paper label tied to zip has inscription" 93911 BATCH 4500X CS"
pale blue
We are not quite sure where this inflatable waiscoat originated from. Mick Tighe found it when cleaning out an old cupboard and thinks he may have been given it to 'test' back in the 1990's. Mountaineers and downhill skiers have been experimenting with 'air' for decades as it is a great insulator from the cold. We assume the idea is to inflate when you are likely to be cold - belay ledge, bivouac, chairlift - and deflate when you are going to be active and warm. For some reason or other, what seems to be a very simple and effective system does not seem to have caught on in the clothing world though camping mats use the principal almost universally these days and 'air boots' are used in the Antarctic. Maybe we should get out, test it properly and go into business!!
29/09/2011
29/09/2011
Spectrum : UK Museum documentation standard, V.3.1 2007
29/09/2011