Objects Database

Joe Brown Harness

Accession Number

1172.2014.1

Object Name

Joe Brown Harness

Created

05/11/2014

Creator

Hermione Cooper

Accession Date

05/11/2014

Brief Description

Harness with four loops and plastic buckle

Materials

nylon webbing, plastic

Dimensions

110(l) x 5.5(w) cms

Number Of Objects

1

Inscription Description

On label"JOE BROWN EQUIPMENT FOR MOUNTAINEERS LLANBERIS & CAPEL CURIG WALES"

Colour

cream, blue, red

Maker

Joe Brown Equipment

Object Production Place

Wales

Provenance

The arrival of nylon tape webbing in the 1960's caused a minor revolution in the way climbers attached themselves to their ropes. For over 100 years they had simply tied the rope around the waist which proved somewhat uncomfortable in the event of a fall - disastrous on a few occasions!
Troll were one of the first companies in the UK to make really good use of nylon tape, producing the legendary Whillans Harness in the early 1970's. Others quickly followed and the Joe Brown Harness we have here in the collection was one. This, and several other harnesses around at the time, were very similar to the Whillans which makes us wonder if Troll had a patent, or maybe Troll actually made the harness to Joe Brown specifications since they had the technology - we're not sure.
We haven't seen a Joe Brown Harness before, whereas we've seen hundreds of the Whillans variety, which makes this a bit of a rarity - thanks to Mountain Guide, Dave (Smiler) Cuthbertson for donating it.

Acquisition Method

Donated by Dave Cuthbertson

Acquisition Date

05/11/2014

Condition Check Date

05/11/2014

Rules

Spectrum : UK Museum documentation standard, V.3.1 2007

Modified

05/11/2014

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Related Items

Joe Brown Climbing Helmet
Joe Brown Waist Belt
Whillan's harness

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