The following article is reprinted from the Sports Textile online publication I receive daily. November’s Performance Days to focus on thermal technologiesThe forthcoming Performance Days event in Munich (November 8-9) will have the development of fibres, fabrics and smart technologies for keeping the wearer’s body warm as its central focus.The use of the word “smart” should be removed from the discussion [...]
THE HUMAN FOOTWhile researching what I might be able to do to alleviate the discomfort that I now experience due to the fact that the padding between my foot skin and bones is deteriorating due to age I came across a most interesting white paper from the Institute for Preventive Foot health. INTRDUCTION“Despite monumental stride made in medicine [...]
Chapter 4 1977-1988: LaminalAfter Olam I went into the contract-laminating business, starting a new company called Laminal. As the name implies, this began as a laminating operation, and my original goal was to promote one of the best and most underappreciated textile products in the world, laminated continuous-fiber insulation. Susanna and I had moved to Columbia, South Carolina, and [...]
FOLLOW UP TO COLUMBIA AND SEIRUS LAW SUITPublished today in SPG’s media online was an article stating that Columbia actually was awarded 3 million dollars for patent infringement of their design patent. What I originally read seemed to say both walked.I guess Columbia makes gloves. However the jury found that “Columbia’s U.S. Omni-Heat utility patents were invalid”The 3 [...]
OPTIMUM BREATHABILITY FOR ALL ACTIVITIESThe above title is for an article I read in the online publication Outdoor-insight, a UK online magazine. It states and I quote; ‘The various fillings and outer materials combine the properties which sportsman and women need in different situations. For example breathability is very important (I agree if you are not breathing would you [...]
NEITHER IS A WINNERToday I read that Seirus Glove Company and Columbia Sportswear Company ended a law suit where each actually sued the other for trademark infringement. Both companies use a reflective material to reflect body heat back the the body producing the heat.Columbia calls their product Omni-Heat and Seirus calls their material HEATWAVE.WHEN Columbia came out with the [...]
Chapter 3 – Olam and my first bagsAfter arriving back in Miami, I wasn’t sure exactly what my next move would be, but as a new husband, raised the way I was, I felt a strong obligation to work. I’d certainly had plenty of time to think about what I wanted to do. Getting out of New York had given [...]
Nomex Arctic ParkaI have been working in the Arctic for the past twelve years. I am currently using the Wiggys Arctic Nomex Parka and Wiggys Nomex Bibs while I am in bush aircraft in the Arctic. I am flying year round in all kinds of crazy weather. I have flown in the Brooks Range, Point Hope, Kaktovik/Barter Island, Prudhoe Bay, [...]
AN UNEXPECTED LETTERWiggy:We need to source several sleeping bags for long range, unsupported special operations deployment. We must have a quick release center zip capability. We have been very disappointed with the Snugpack Special Forces Bag. Frankly it is civilian grade garbage. In addition to generally inferior quality for the robust stresses of extended deployment, the zipper jams easily on the zipper [...]
INTERESTING REFERENCE TO THE DUCKSBACK FABRICHi Jerry,A NEW PTFE FILM THAT WORKS? NONSENSEAt our best when conditions are at their worst. The bi-component Porelle® Extreme membrane found in the Pnuma Selkirk Jacket and Pant Hunting System has set a new bar as the finest waterproof, breathable membrane in the industry. The outer PTFE is a hydrophobic, water-hating layer that keeps [...]