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Glove History
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If you are old enough to remember the orange Fireball glove, you may
find this page of interest. We still have a sample of that old neoprene
dipped cotton glove that served many departments before the NFPA
clothing standards became more nationally recognized and required. |
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1990
American Firewear opens it's doors. Gloves for structural firefighting
had not yet been combined with other clothing (NFPA 1971), but were
differentiated under their own standard, NFPA 1973. There was
controversy at that time regarding whether or not a moisture barrier
should be required. The 1983 edition of NFPA 1973 was updated in 1988 to require a
moisture barrier, but an amendment was enacted to temporarily void the
requirement pending further analysis.
American Firewear offered two gloves - one with a moisture barrier,
and one without. We were the first glove manufacturer to use the
polyurethane barrier as an inexpensive alternative to other barriers
that had been used during the previous several years. Most other glove
manufacturers have copied this lead since then.
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1992
The FDIC is still located in Cincinnati. Our gray non-moisture barrier glove
is changed to blue, for appearance only, and glove size offerings increase, as
we are the first to add the XXXL size.
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1993
The moisture barrier controversy is settled with the 1993 edition of NFPA
1973. Not only moisture, but now a requirement for protection
against five chemicals and bloodborne pathogens. American Firewear still
offers gloves with or without a moisture barrier, as many states had not
(and still do not) require the standard to be followed. W.L. Gore changes
from the GORE-TEX® barrier to Crosstech®. Third party certification is made
a requirement.
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1994
Cadet Sizing is introduced by American Firewear to accommodate fire
fighters with wide hands and shorter fingers. Also, a size XXS was
developed especially for women and small handed men.
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1996
American Firewear introduces glove bands around each pair of
gloves. This unique method of packaging improved quality standards
for our shipping department, made distributors warehousing easier,
and enabled us to put useful end user information on a sturdy, removable
band that could be kept for future reference. The bands were made obsolete
when we started poly-bagging each pair.
This is also the year the American Firewear internet site was launched.
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1997
NFPA 1971, Standard on Protective Ensemble for Structural FireFighting, 1997 Edition now includes gloves, hoods, and
other protective gear with the turnout clothing. Gloves are now polybagged,
eliminating the need for glove banding. We narrow our NFPA gloves to two
colors - gold to indicate a polyurethane moisture barrier, and black for the Crosstech®.
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1999
The Eclipse™ glove is introduced. So unique, it was awarded the
U.S. Patent #D418,689. It features a cowhide palm for increased durability
and an elkskin back for better dexterity. Other features include shortened
finger length, convertible cuff, glove retaining band, and a "Swing
Thumb" design for a much improved structural glove experience. An all
elkskin glove with a palm strap for extra protection was also developed.
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2000
The 2000 Edition of NFPA 1971 was issued, with increased glove testing requirements.
ISO 9001:2000 Quality Standard made a part of NFPA 1971.
Glove body length extended by one inch, requiring a complete set of new dies.
Cadet sizing was eliminated because of this, and already having another style
with shorter fingers (Eclipse™).
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2002
American Firewear introduces the Fire MateTM glove made with a kangaroo
leather palm and elkskin back. This combination, along with newly sized
fingers to accommodate the thinner kangaroo leather, offered one of the
most comfortable glove in the fire service at the time.
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2004
Combining the unique patented design of the EclipseTM glove and the
advanced features of a kangaroo leather palm, the #8700 is by far the
most comfortable structural fire glove in the marketplace today, bar none!
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2006
American Firewear becomes a member of the Total Fire Group family.
Glove lines are expanded and new glove products are developed.
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2007
American Firewear introduces the revolutionary Super Glove,
a 3-D Kangaroo and Digiroo™ structural firefighting glove.
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