1920's Electric Moccasins Edison Electric Appliance Co.

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Here are the glove and moccasin from the Jan 5 1920 Areo Age Weekly story. I bought 10 pair of moccasins in the box and the tag is Areo E.E.A. They have never been out of the box.  In the 20's the USAAC flew mail  so they might be military issue, or not. Its hard to find information on these.

[AZPhil]

Well I used up all my LIKE's today so I'll just tell ya.

 Very Nice and I like them!!

 

Semper Fi

Phil

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Gee thanks!!!!

[dmar836]

Interesting. I didn’t know they were using them that far back. 

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I found an on line copy of the "Areial age weekly" dated Jan 5 1920. This boot insert was a part of an early heated flight suit ordered by Buero of Aircraft Production for the government!!!! I had to google everything printed on the box to find it!!!!

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I did the story out of order below is first

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458 AERIAL AGE WEEKLY, January 5, 1920 ELECTRICALLY HEATED AVIATOR'S CLOTHING of the hand and the back of each finger and thumb up to the base of the nails. They are so placed that they will distribute their heat uniformly over the back of the hand and fingers without interfering with the operator's sense of touch. The heating element in each glove is of such length as to absorb 16.8 watts. The conductors are securely stitched in position and each glove is wired so that there will be a minimum potential difference between adjacent slopes. Care is taken to insure that the gloves are thin enough to allow their being worn as a lining in other gloves, and are constructed so that the knuckles will not be chafed when the hand is bent. Each glove is provided with a circular elastic grip at the wrist. In each lot of a dozen pairs of gloves supplied by the Government, the sizes ordered are as follows: Three pairs No. 8; five pairs No. 9; and four pairs No. 10. AS the art of flying develops it is reasonable to suppose A that electrically heated clothing will become standard equipment for most aeroplanes. No matter how the mechanical and aerodynamical problems are solved and the aeroplane perfected, there will always be need for protecting the aviator and his passengers from the extreme cold which exists at high altitudes. The standard electrically heated suit as supplied to the United States Government includes a rubberized moleskin coat lined with lamb's wool, an electrically heated helmet-lining of silk jersey, and similar linings for moccasins and gloves. The suit is not heated, as it has been found necessary to protect only the extremities. Over the helmet lining the aviator straps his leather helmet; over the electrically heated gloves he places his leather gauntlets, while his feet are protected by whatever kind of moccasin he prefers, worn over the elec- trically heated socks. To heat the suit the plane is equipped with an air-driven generator, fitted with a small propeller, which insures current even should the engine fail to function. At a convenient point in each suit is a miniature switch by means of which the flyer can control the heat in any part of his outfit. A complete outfit of electrically heated aviator's clothing, as specified by the Bureau of Aircraft Production, consists of a wired harness assembled in a one-piece suit, and electrically heated garments as follows: One helmet, one pair of moc- casins, and one pair of gloves. Garments Each electrically heated garment consists of an inner and an outer shell of Denier Japanese Filature silk. The heating element, mounted on a cotton cloth backer, is enclosed between the aforesaid outer and inner cases. The backer containing the heating unit is securely sewed to the inner lining of each gar- ment, with the resistance wire adjacent to the outer lining. All edges are securely sewed in such a manner as to prevent any possibility of raveling. Silk Aviator's suit, showing connections and cables for electrically heating the helmet, gloves, and moccasins The silk used in the helmet, gloves and moccasins is 13/15 Denier Japanese Filature silk, of the best grade No. 1. It is woven on a 28-gauge Milanese loom, throw 3-thread 8 turns to the inch. The quality is 4" to the rack. The finished silk has a stretch of at least 100% and contains no loading of any de- scription other than the highest quality of gelatine. The per- centage of gelatine in no case exceeds 4%. The heating elements are ductile, flexible and elastic. The material of which the element is made includes a cur- rent-carrying member of a comparatively low restivity to in- sure liberal heat-dissipating surface. It is of such design to preclude the development of short circuits and is capable of resisting with a large factor of safety such mechanical abuse as it is likely to be subjected to in the service. The unit is such that it will not be injured by being wet, though it will not be operated when saturated. The heating elements consist of a thin, flat braid of ap- proximately nine strands of No. 35 to 37 B & S double silk- covered resistance wire. The braid is approximately 38" wide and is securely stitched along both edges to a substantial cot- ton cloth backing. The unit leads are anchored to the cotton backing, so as to prevent a strain in the leads being trans- mitted to the resistant wire. The heating element is capable of continuous operation at 3373% over voltage, without injury. It conforms to the heat distribution as mentioned for the separate articles. The elements have the following capacities under working temperature at 12 volts: Helmet, 1.2 amperes—14.4 watts; gloves (each), 1.4 amperes—16.8 watts; socks (each), 1.4 amperes—16.8 watts. Total current for suit, 6.8 amperes. Total wattage at 12 volts, 81.6 watts. Current does not exceed .05 amperes plus or minus in each element. Gloves The electrically heated gloves consist of an inner and outer silk glove, the heating unit being inserted between the inner and outer gloves. The inner gloves are of various sizes as desired. Gloves are made of Denier Japanese Filature silk. They are sewn in seams without silking on the back. They are seamed with silk throughout and made with fourchettes and double- tipped fingers and thumbs. The thumbs are sewn into the gloves with two rows of stitching. The gloves are flexible in all directions, neat in appearance, and comfortable. They are provided with an attaching cord and terminal connectors. The heating elements are attached to the gloves at the back Moccasins The moccasins are made of silk as used for gloves. They are neat in appearance and comfortable to wear. They measure not less than six inches high at the back of the heel. Each moccasin is provided with an attaching cord with terminal connections. The heating unit is inserted between the inner and outer fab- ric. It distributes the heat around the sides of the foot, near the sole, over the toes and round the ankle, the principal dis- tribution of the heat being around the sides of the feet. The moccasin sizes on a basis of one dozen pairs and gauged according to standard sock sizes are as follows: Five pairs size 1112; six pairs size 12; and one pair size 1272. Helmet The helmet consists of an outer and inner shell of silk. It is made to fit neatly over the head. The quality weave and weight of the silk is similar to that used for the gloves. From top to bottom the helmet measures not less than 13 inches at the back and not less than 16 inches at the front. An opening is provided to expose the eyes, nose and mouth. The helmet in no way interferes with the sidewise vision of the aviator. Round holes 1/2 inches in diameter are provided for ears. Each helmet is provided with an attaching cord with ter- minal connectors. The heating element is placed between the inner lining and the outer shell. It distributes the heat in the zone across the

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Page 473

AERIAL AGE WEEKLY, January 5, 1920 459 forehead, just above the eyes, down each cheek, over the chin, around each ear and across the back of the neck. Conductors Each helmet, glove and moccasin is provided with a flexible lead provided with a terminal having a pair of male con- nectors. Terminals of heating elements are soldered to lead- ing-in wires, which are No. 18 B & S flexible cable insulated with double wrap of impregnated silk and one braid. Connectors The terminal at the left front of the suit for the helmet, at the end of each sleeve for the gloves and at the bottom of each leg for the moccasins, is a substantial approved con- struction to withstand rough usage in service and of a type that does not permit short circuiting in the terminal. Connectors of the Carr fastener type are provided to con- nect the garment to the wiring in the suit. The connectors are mounted in pairs and all pairs have the same distance between centers. All fasteners in each garment are of the same size and design and of a type which insures positive electrical connections. Provision is made to insure against any strain between the wire and its attached snap when the terminals are discon- nected. This is accomplished by the use of a stout terminal piece whereupon the snap fasteners are mounted. Its design is such as to permit of its being grasped by the wearer in order to connect or disconnect the unit. The female parts of the connectors are mounted in a sub- stantial leather base secured to a cloth backer which is se- curely attached to the suit. They are connected to the wires of the harness, bringing the ends of the conductor between the outer surface of the leather base and the washer of the fastener when same is riveted together. The male part of the fasteners is assembled in a piece of heavy khaki-colored cloth, folded so as to form a piece of four thicknesses; the connectors are assembled so as to leave a finger grip at the end. They have the same distance between centers as the female fasteners. The connectors are attached to the garment leads by including the conductor under the washer of the connectors when they are riveted in place. Wire Harness The manufacturer of the heating elements furnishes the necessary harness to be inserted between the outer fabric and the lining of the aviator's suit to carry the electric current to the various elements. The harness may be installed in the The electrically heated helmet distributes heat across the fore- head, just above the eyes, down ach cheek, over the chin, around each ear, and across the back of the neck suits by the manufacturer of the heating elements. All heat- ing units are connected in parallel and not in series. The wires are No. 18 stranded copper twin conductors well insulated but flexible. They are joined at the center of the back just below the wearer's neck, from which point one is carried directly down to the right leg and terminates in a con- nector located within the trouser leg approximately one inch from the bottom and on the outer side. Another pair of wires are carried down on the left leg and terminate in a similar manner. Other pairs of wires are carried down each sleeve and terminate in connectors at the wrist below the fur lining. Another pair of wires are carried over the left shoulder and terminate in a pair of connectors located on the outside of the left front, 1/2" to the right of space between third and fourth button from the top. The connectors are therefore covered by the right front of the suit when same is closed. Sufficient slack is allowed in all wires so that they are not strained by the movements of the aviator. The wires are encased in a substantial cloth tubing, a 14" selvage is allowed on each side of the wire to be used in attaching the wires to the clothing. At junction point of the five pairs of wires they are care- fully connected in multiple by a soldered connection to a No. 16 double conductor N. E. C. standard (1/32" rubber) flexible braided cord, with double black braid over all without weather- proofing, which is brought out of the garment at the right- hand side. No joints exist in the connecting wires between the junction point and the terminal. Installation of Harness The wire harness is assembled in the suit between the outer shell and the lining, and is sewed to the outer shell by stitch- ing along both edges for which 14 inch selvage is allowed. The harness is securely anchored to the suit at the points where the connectors are located, thus relieving all strain on the terminals when disconnecting the clothing from the har- ness. All connectors are firmly attached to the suit so as to prevent the strain on same from being transmitted to the wires. The cable is brought out of the suit at the right side, one inch above the belt, and anchored at that point in such a manner as to prevent a strain on the cable ripping the cloth, A double pole slip connection is inserted six inches from suit where cable enters clothing. The male end is attached to suit. The cable measures 41/2 feet from female end of double pole slip connection. The accompanying illustrations were supplied by the Edison Electric Appliance Company, which has the distinction of hav- ing developed for the United States Army and Navy much of the standard aviator's heating equipment now in use. An electrically heated glove and moccasin. Heat in the glove is distributed uniformly over the back of the hand and fingers. In the mocassin, heat is distributed around sides of foot, near the sole, over the toes, and around the ankle

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