Picture: The first cap belongs to the 1860 Brooklyn Excelsiors baseball team
Policy caps; kepi hats, uniform caps; sports caps, baseball caps… the list goes on. It doesn’t matter what you call them, there are probably enough of these caps in circulation to cover every human head on the planet, and then some.
Today the ‘baseball’ cap – which is the basis of all multi-panelled peak caps – is as much a part of military dress as are boots, and while the Australian military lagged well behind the rest of the world when it came to adopting the cap, it is now firmly established as a uniform and promotional item.
The first baseball cap is credited to the Brooklyn Excelsiors baseball team in 1860. These were soft floppy caps with short brims that became hugely popular in the USA in the 1900s. In the 1940s the introduction of latex rubber allowed for the stiffening of the front panels and peaks. This gave rise to bigger brimmed caps that steadily grew in popularity.
By the 1960s and early 70s, the big panels were a hit with marketers who saw the advertising potential. One of the first to capitalise was Amana, an Iowa-based white goods manufacturer, which in 1971 offered the PGA a few hundred dollars for the local prize pool if pro players all wore white caps with the Amana brand. It caused a stink amongst the traditionalists but money won out and the idea caught on. Today the front of a golfer’s cap can be worth millions to a sponsor.
In the 1970s marketers rallied to use caps to promote everything and anything, and the caps were produced in the millions. By the 1980s the cap was a staple in marketing. Caps showed off the brand; were functional and were happily worn by young and old alike.
The advent of the baseball-style cap in Australia’s military is more recent. It is really only within the past few years that these caps have become a standard uniform item across all services. Each service has introduced caps to display their insignia in a contemporary, functional and fashionable style.
In PR terms military caps, which mimic the uniform caps, are also widely used for public events and Navy, Army and Air Force caps are always one of the most popular and effective promotional items at any function. The past 50 years have shown that for use as a promotional item caps are second to none. They are kept and worn for years; have long-lasting fashion appeal; suit all ages, and most of all they are actually useful.
As production methods have improved so to the cost per unit has fallen. Today a quality customised embroidered cap can cost less than a burger. Ships’ companies, units and squadrons, along with thousands of military associations and clubs, are creating unique caps, both for uniform wear and for special events.
When it comes to creating caps each service has strict guidelines on what a cap can include, so anyone thinking of creating one should talk to their command first to ensure it is within guidelines.
Get in contact with the BrandNet team today to discuss customised caps for all your needs! Contact on 02 6123 2950 or via email sales@militaryshop.com.au.
CapFact: In 2012 a world record price was set for a Baseball Cap. Babe Ruth’s 1930’s New York Yankees Game Worn Cap sold for a whopping AUD $719,000. You can get yours for less.
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