Capitalism = Art

Well My Red Beard Bourgeois,

Welcome back to the best Red Beard Blog on the whole internets! 

I write to you today from the grand township of Greencastle, IN 

Yeah... This is a GreenCastle in France or someplace, not Indiana

Well, I wanted to blog alot more this past month, but didnt get around to it.  You know, less is more.  "Always leave em wanting more" as my ole uncle Phineas used to say...

Folks I thought I would tell you a brief tale.  A tale of capitalism at its best.  How a young, poor farmboy grew the be one of the richest men who has ever lived.(most boys are young..)

He was voted "Most Versatile Boy" in high-school.  Basically, MacGyver

Samuel Moore Walton was born in Oklahoma but grew up in Missouri, when his dad decided that farming in Indiana territory couldn't cut it.  He was a dedicated, disciplined, hard worker, doing whatever chores and spare jobs he could to help his family during the great depression.  He was the youngest Eagle Scout in the states history.  He went to the University of Missouri with some scholarships from the ROTC.  He got a job with JC Penny 3 days after graduation, but with WWII on the doorstep he quit a few months later, knowing he would be enlisted in the armed forces.  He worked at a DuPont arms plant in Tulsa till he joined up.   Walton joined the military in the U.S. Army Intelligence Corps, supervising security at aircraft plants and prisoner of war camps.  So he was basically a anti-spy that would stop spies from stealing our airplane secrets and stop Nazi defectors from leaving prison.  Who know, he might have even interrogated some evil Nazi zombies?!  

From the military to the business world he went with cash he had saved from the army, a loan from his father in law, an economics degree in his pocket, and a hard work and gristle in his bones!  Dominating the competition with genius ideas and employee motivation he quickly became a owner of a successful expanding business.  Fast forward a few decades and he has one the Presidents Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian honor an American can obtain, has expanded his corporation worldwide, and IS LOADED!! Sam Walton was the richest man in the United States from 1982 to 1988!

In 2011 6 members of the Walton family have the same net worth as the bottom 30% of American families combined. That's money folks.  Mad Money!  How did get obtain it?  Hard work and determination.  As far as his family goes now, the Waltons control over 48% of the company, and are worth a combined total of $93 billion.  That is more than the GDP of Sri Lanka...  

What did they do with their vast billions?  Invest it, help others, and give it away.  I mean, they are still loaded, but have given it to tons of great endeavors, such as Education Reform, Camp War Eagle, And Crystal Bridges... 

Let me tell ya folks.  I have traveled around this nation for a while now, and been to a ton of neat places.  I have been to art museums in Kansas City, St. Louis, Georgia, Los Angles, and even the Art Institute of Chicago, and none of them come close.  Now hold on before you start throwing bows!  As far as the prestige of the pieces, in most cases, they have Crystal Bridges beat.  However, none can beat its design and setting.  Also, admission is FREE!!! Can you believe it?  Its such a cool place.  You really should go, like now! GO! GO NOW!  

Still reading this?  Well, here are some of my favorite pieces that photo'd: 

Good ole GW!  This Painting is worth $1! Get it?

 Who better to run the animal grade school than a orangutan... that have red beards.

Notice the cat and dog at the end, fighting! 

 A monkey, contemplating Darwinism... I thought it was clever!

 This piece is called: Time

I wonder why...

This one reminded me of my friend John Owen... I wonder this as well.

This was one of the most life like statues I have ever seen.  

Creepy, but fascinating. 

 Read this ^

 Look at this ^

 Look at it up close! 

 Now look at it THROUGH THIS!  

cool huh?

A photo outside the museum? 

 WRONG! Its ART! :)

This is one of my favs.  Mix media.  Its neat, but clown boy isn't.  

He Pretty much photo bombed it! 

And the best for last...

A red bearded pirate crab fisher! 

Mona Lisa is envious...

Thanks again for coming!  Be tuned in for more posts and red beardiness! 

A Sincere apology...

Dear Friends and bearded people,


I want to apologize for my lack of posting.  I have started and planned several posts but have not finished them.  Blame it on what you will, lack of energy, being sick, flying monkeys stealing my computer... 


I try to post at least once a month, but regardless of the reasons, I have lacked in my posts.  However, with the new year i have committed to posting a new post every month in January! For your input and ideas please head over to my facebook to post your ideas or vote!


Until next week, I would like to leave you with a few of my Napkin pics that I have drawn in coffee shops, restaurants, caves, etc... 

To start, a Frisbee tomato, old man, Model T, & Dancing Gnomes to guitar playing elephants.  Elephants shred the best solos!

 I was at a business meeting with at a certain Italian restaurant where you can draw on the table cloths.  They man I was with ASKED ME to draw a giant robot destroying a city.

Same restaurant.  All I had was a red crayon so I drew facial hair.  Of course I had my pen that I always carry in my pocket.

This was with my community group at Mama Carmen's.  I asked them what to draw and I got some fun challenges.  1/2 lizard 1/2 baseball player, business lion, bugs, Santa jogging with a dolphin, T-Rex playing monopoly, and a Dragon in a kilt. 

  

More random doodles, per request.  My favorite is the Dr. Seuss(ish) Chef. 

I love Dr. Seuss.  He is my favorite author.  I tried to draw some creatures like his.  Don't mind the dragon or football/orc, they are not like Dr. Seuss. 

Here is another Dr. Seuss scene I am quiet proud of. 

Finally, I leave you with one of my drafts for the 2011 IT project Tee shirt. 

What YOU need to know about Coffee

Welcome back Read Beard Blog Readers!  I'm Glad your here.  I was lonely...


We at Red Beard Blog inc. are happy to provide you with your monthly amount of awesome!  What keeps us going?  The smooth kick of a caffeinated beverage that has been known and loved for thousands of years.  That's right, Coffee!  I love it like I like my women:  Black and Strong.  (total joke)  

Mug of Coffee

(by the way, if you google mugs, you don't get cups, you get people in jail...)

There are tons of things to learn about coffee, such as how and why you drink it, but this post isn't about the history of coffee.  You can find that here ---> History of COFFEE 
I highly encourage you to check it out before this coffee blog.  


THIS post is about the coffee beans themselves.  Before the freeze dried, crystallized, flavor infused, mega marketed, pre-ground, crappy "coffee-like" products, & mocafrapawhippiachinos there was... the bean. 

Well said, 1940's cartoon women.

Ladies and Gentlemen, there are somethings that you have been lead to believe by "the man", giant mega companies (that know nothing about coffee, just bout makin $$$) and the Iluminati...  


Knowledge is power, &  Power to the people.


This post gives the basics that everyone needs to know about Coffea canephora.So pour yourself hot cuppa Joe and lets get going!

Guatemalan Coffee Plant 

The coffee BEAN, is actually the insides that grow in the center of a cherry-like fruit, or berry.  To be exact, coffee beans are actually dupes, like peaches & coconuts.  


As far as plants go, they are pretty persnickety and only really grow in a certain of the world that suites them.  The climate they grow in is an area of the world called the Coffee belt. 

Coffee Belt, to keep the world's pants on

Elevation, soil, average rain fall, average temp, length of seasons, sunlight, proximity to clowns: all effect where and how coffee is grown.  


Probably the most important thing you should know, is that there are thousands of species, but TWO varieties...

r=Robusta  a=Arabica  m=Muppets, j/k, it means both are grown

Robusta trees tough, hardy and high yeilding, but their beans brew up a cup that's bitter (more acid) and with not much flavor.   It tastes like pencil shavings.  However, it packs a punch.  Robusta has TWICE the amount of caffeine as an Arabica beans.  Because the trees give out WAY more beans come harvest time, they are cheaper to produce.  Mega-Market man knows they are cheaper and average joe American wants to save money.  That combo results in Mega-Market man selling crappy coffee for mucho denaro.  20% of all the beans grown in the world are Robusto. 

Arabica beans are wonderful, to say the least.  Even though the trees only dish out 2 lbs a year, they taste amazing.  The Arabica trees are shy, finicky, Mt. dwellers but have some unique properties.  They are kinda like grapes, in that their flavor can be altered by their environment.  That is why beans from different countries have different flavors and aromas. 

So, lets recap.  Robusta beans don't taste that great, but have more caffeine and are cheaper.  Arabica tastes great, but is harder to produce, therefore costs more.  How does this effect you? Well you drink coffee don't ya?  If you get it from a supermarket and it DOES NOT say 100% Arabica beans, you are drinking mostly Robusta beans.  Whomp whomp! You have a pot of nasty, but highly caffeinated coffee. If it says "Traditional coffee" that usually means its about 20% arabica and 80% robusto.  It's better but still gross.  What you want is 100% Arabica beans.  If it doesn't say that, don't get it.  A Good rule, like don't play ping pong with eggs...


Arabica beans, as discussed, change from region to region.  For instance...

• Kona, from Hawaii, is carefully processed and produces a deliciously rich, aromatic cup of medium body.
• Guatemalan coffee is a medium-to-full bodied coffee, often with a depth and complexity of taste that is almost spicy or chocolatey to the tongue.  
• Colombia are the world's best-known producer of coffee.  An extremely rugged landscape provides the perfect natural environment for the growth of the coffee.  However, the rugged terrain has also made it historically difficult to transport the harvested coffee beans to production and shipment centers.  Even today, this is often done by mule or Jeep. Such care and attention results in consistently good, mild coffees, with a well-balanced acidity.  Colombian Supremo, the highest grade, has a delicate, aromatic sweetness while Excelso Grade might be softer and slightly more acidic.
• Indonesian coffees, grown on islands like Sumatra and Java, are noted for a pronounced rich, full body and mild acidity.
• Yemen coffee has a distinctive taste that is deep, rich and like no other.  Historically, coffee was shipped from the Yemeni port of Mocha was mixed with coffee from the Island of Java for the first historical blend of coffee: Mocha-Java

What does all that mess mean? ^ Don't really worry about it.  If you know what makes a bean taste the way it does, that will help you decide on what to drink next, but it can get complicated.  Experiment, Find what ya like, and drink that.  

The beans, once picked, are left to ripen in the sun. Then the fleshy part is removed, and the beans are sorted and processed.  They are shipped green to their destination.  I leaned this here!


From here the beans get roasted!  The scientific process is called Pyrolysis, or the chemical change resulting from exposure to heat.  The beans will be heated to first crack.  The water inside gets to boiling point then cracks and pops, kinda like popcorn.  From there the master roaster will take frequent samples, from the roaster, looking for a sweet spot where acidity (less roasted), flavor, and body (darker roast) balance out.  After the first crack, the roaster guy will be looking at sound, sight and smell every few seconds, until its time to drop them.  From there the beans are laid on a cooling rack or bin to... well.. cool them.  Future chefs, take note: Roasted beans, like ALL food, will continue to cook from residual heat, even when it is taken off the burner.  


Beans will be roasted from at one of two locations: a large plant (mega-market man), or small micro roaster (specialty coffees).  Now, here, bigger doesn't mean bad.  Some big roasters do a fine job and will have more expert master roasters, it just depends on HOW WELL you want your beans to be roasted.  An expert will tell you that the length and temp of the roast will depend on the bean.  Some beans are better suited for a darker (longer) roast, some shorter.  Here is what I am talking about: 

Most beans are probably suited at a light city to full city.  Anymore than that and you have charcoal.  Gross!


Here is a misconception:  The darker the roast, the MORE caffeine in the bean. NOT TRUE! The amount of Caffeine in the bean is in there, and BURNS OFF the longer it is roasted. If you want more  of a kick, drink a lighter roast, not darker. 

THE BEST way to make your coffee, without a lot of fuss and mess, is CONTROL!  Control the Water temp, coffee to water ratio, grind size, and brew time:


1.  Get your beans WHOLE and store them in a dark, room temp, air tight container.  From roasting, the beans will be giving off TONS of carbon dioxide for the next couple of days.  Its not bad for ya, but can make a goofy roast.  So much CO2 that it will even pop airtight bags and containers.  It used to be that after beans gas out and were shipped they were often stale by consumption. In the 60's a Italian Engineer made an air tight bag with one way valve, so the gas could escape.  That's what we use today, HOWEVER, beware: once you puncture that bag, moisture, light and air will KILL those beans!  Store them in an air tight, room temp (not a fridge), opaque jar or tin. Keep them secret, keep them safe.


2. Grind them as close to brewing as possible.  All herbs, spices, and awesome foods, have oils.  The oils is what makes the awesome.  You want to release them as late as possible, because those freshness enemies (light, air, & moisture) destroy those oils like a Deathstar to Planets.  Would you crack your eggs at the market before going home? You don't need any fancy crazy grinder, just a $20 deal will last ya and do its job.  If your using a plain ole auto drip, grind for about 20-25 seconds.  How many beans? good question...


3. Add 2 tablespoons of fresh grounds to 6 oz of water.  30% of a coffee bean's weight is extractable by water.  2/3 of that extractable weight is magically delicious.  That last 1/3 is gross and bitter.  People say they don't like strong coffee, but what they mean is that they don't like bitter coffee.  More grounds, more flavor, less bitter.


4. NOT boiling hot. Again, using a plain ole auto drip, your at its mercy, but before purchasing, look into this:  The ideal brew temp is between 190-205 degrees.  That is just under boiling.  Once its boiled, take the kettle off the heat, wait till the bubbles stop and your probably good to go.


5. 4-5 minutes!  When you are looking at that coffee pot box in Walmart, also check the brew time.  The brew time we want is between 4-5 minutes.  Now most pots DO NOT brew that fast, and its ok, but that time is the perfect amount for you to get the good stuff out (that first 2/3rds) with out that nasty stuff.


6. Percolators are the devil.  Honestly, they are the WORST way to make coffee.  Constantly pouring the same old water over the same old beans is a recipe for a bitter bitter brew.

Man, im tired...  
I'm at a host home in Illinois, and they have no coffee.


Oh well, before I go, I'll share with you one more story...


Americans love coffee, if you read that other blog, you'll know why.  So when American G.I.s wanted coffee in WWII, it was tough to get by.  Logistics, the moving of supplies and men, was a tough task.  The "non-necessities" were tough to get to the troops.  Bullets came first priority, then food, then medical supplies... you get the picture.  Well local coffee places were weird.  Remember that scene in Saving Private Ryan? He can't figure out how to get that weird espresso machine to work? In France and Italy, the troops wanted coffee, but the locals only had espresso.  (note: its not EXPRESS-o. That is a made up word) Well to give the "Americanos" what they wanted, they just put the espresso in water.  And today, if you get Americano, its espresso and water.

Enjoy your true brew my friends.  What's your favorite coffee beverage?  Whats your favorite place  to get coffee?


Until next time, beard bros and grow gals...

5 things about Michiganders

For the past Five weeks this red beard has been growing all over the state of Michigan.  (If that sounds weird, just read the blog discription...)  

I have been traveling all over this state, and from my travels I have deduced 5 things that I have found to be rather interesting and should be shared.  Without further ado, 5 things about Michiganders (the name at which the Michigan dwellers prefer to be called.)   

#1 Michigan says, Talk to the hand!

The United States of American divided the landmass into states, with different geographical boundaries based on several things.  The use of rivers, mountain ranges, longitudinal and latitudinal lines, all make each shape look different. (latitude are the horizontal ones, like look at the rungs of a ladder.)  Throughout the years, Indian treaties, land buys, and a host of other things, have changed the ways the states are arranged.  Consequently you get some bizarro looking states, and it's funny to see how different people describe their geographical boundaries of the state. Some people use food, or animals to describe their state. Some states have "pan handles."  Louisiana and Arkansas together look like a boot. Some states are square.  Canada is America's hat.  You get the drift.  But in MICHIGAN, well they have a leg up on the state describing competition! Or should I say a hand up...

Those are not my hands, my hands are prettier.

That's right!  Michigan sorta looks like a hand.  Speaking with college students, they can describe where they are from with relative ease! For instance, my team spent a little break in the pinky.  I spoke with a guy who said, "I'm right in the middle of the Thumb."  He was from the town with the coolest name ever, BAD AXE!  What a name! hard core. 

#2 you have to go UP to get the U.P.

Michigan is unique, because a large portion of its state is not even connected to it!  Where is it? Attached to Wisconsin.  Makes sense right? Not at all.  Let me explain...

When Michigan was just a territory and wanting statehood, they said, "Hey, lets include the town of Toledo and all the land around it in the Ohio territory.  Yeah, that will be nice to have."      

To which the people of Ohio snapped their fingers in a Z and said, "Oh No. You. Don't!"  So each side was pissed at each other for claiming each others stuff, much like kids fighting over toys, although this time it was over lots of land and resources. So both states formed up militia's and had them patrol and yell at people.  Every now and then they would see the other "troops" and shoot in the air at each other.  Yeah, not even at each other, just kinda in their direction, but in the air.  

This event is called the Toledo War, which is hilarious, because no one died or even got hurt, except one guy who was stabbed with a pen, I kid you not!   

So Andrew Jackson, the president (and elected crazy haired guy, just check a $20 if you don't remember him.) at the time, said for everyone to stop stabbing each other with pens. He told Michigan that they could have all of the land above the Wisconsin territory if they would stop being silly and give Ohio's land back.  They were so stubborn and prideful that they said "NO!" Then Jackson said, "so uh... were like handing out thousands of dollars to STATES for armies and stuff, and I know you guys are, like, broke, so if you accept this and stop being sasquatches, we will give you money too." To which Michigan reluctantly accepted. 

Little did the folks of Michigan know that the U.P. was full of copper and iron ore, which was later discovered in the 1840's and even brought in more cash than all of the gold from the gold rush in California.  About that time tones of Fins (not fish, but people from Finland) moved in there and most of the U.P. can trace their ancestry to, you know, finish stuff. 

The U.P. and the bottom hand are connected by Mackinac Bridge and in between the straits of Mackinac there is Mackinac Island. Its a super cool place where cars aren't allowed, so everyone rides horses or bikes, or walks... or anything that isn't a motor vehicle. 

#3 Its fruity 

"You have logs?"

Along with ore and Timber ( ^ ), Michigan has lots of other natural resources to offer. Take a Gander at that picture: 

Fruit Belt

 That's what Fruitologists (or whatever you call fruit scientists, farmers?) coin the fruit belt.  The highlighted red there is some of the best places in America to grow fruit like apples, grapes, and cherries.  Well the as you can see it lies right in Michigan's UP and LP (lower peninsula).  In previous years (most years are) most of our nations apples and cherries come from this neck of the nation.  However, in recent years lots of land has been not profitable for cherries, so most cherry farmers planned the next best thing:  Grapes, for your wine! 

Several wineries in the, uh, pinky nail of Michigan have sprung up in the last 10 years of so.  Some of which use the most state of the art processes in the world. 

#4 Cider and Donuts

Um, Um, and apple

Because of lots of orchards and apples, naturally lots of cider mills are around, some for hundreds of years.  And man, Cider and Donuts is a Michigan thing.  I'm not kidding.  Its everywhere. Everyone uses it as a selling point for their party or get together.  Tons of group meetings and places we have been this semester has had them.  I even heard a Campus minister say, "Come to Fall retreat because we will have cider and donuts."  

I thought it quite strange at first, but then I ate them... I felt like Homer Simpson!  

Having a party? Want Michiganders to show up?  Have Cider and Donuts.  2 things you need to know, though: 1. Were not talking about apple juice!?  That stuff is concentarted (spelled that way for a reason) and gross.  Were talkin fresh squeezed juices from thousands of honey crisp apples! 2. NO glaze here. These are a special cake donut make with cinnamon and spices and cider IN the badder.  Also, they are HOT donuts, so pretty much 200% awesome.   

#5 The 2 biggest schools HATE each other!

Burp contest.

As a former mascot and a college sports fan, I love learning about mascots and school traditions.  Learning about a schools rival in another state is common place, but an internal rivalry is not that popular...  Sure Oklahoma and OSU are big, and A&M hates Texas, but the have bigger rivals across state boarders.  

The Michigan State Spartans and the University of Michigan Wolverines have been fighin it out for decades.  Everyone state wide is aligned with one or the other and its a huge huge deal.  

That's it sports fans.  Thing you should know about this state.  Hope you enjoyed it.  I Hope you visit sometime.  Its beautiful.  

I thought I would leave you with some pictures that I took at the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Park in Northwest Michigan.  

Until we meet again...

A Heep of Hats

Where did you get that hat?

Where did you get that tile?

Isn't it a nobby one, and just the proper style?

I should like to have one just the same as that!

Whe'er I go they shout, 'Hello!Where did you get that hat?'

Dear Friends, thanks for returning to the Red Beard Blog for all your blogging needs.  Today we shall speak of a amazing topic: 

HAT's

"That's a Derby!" Curly, 3 stoogies

Why Hats, you say? Well when you think about it, nothing, (save Starwars), has affected human culture more!  Really! ready...  Think of a man from the middle east? A Chinese farmer, Or a Russian? or a jew?  Or Davy Crockett...   They mental pics you conjured up in that beautiful noggin of yours were all of people in hats!  The Arab had a Turban, Chinese farmer was like the mortal comabt dude, the Russian had a fur hat, the Jew had one of those lil yamakas and Davy was wearing a hard hat.  OH! You were thinking of Davy the pioneer?  I was thinking of Dave Crockett, my buddy who works for K&B construction...

Lets be honest.  No one really knows when the first cave man put a log or dead animal on his head to pick up cave-chicks, protect his head in the cave, or declare his dominance over other cavelings, but one thing is for sure, it was a good idea.  Hat Scientists today say those are the very reasons humans have hats:  To protect from the elements, show style and class, and to show military rank. 

Top hat and facial hair, like Peanut butter and Jelly, are both awesome combos!

Hats have major definitions on culture.  Just check this wiki article.  There are tons of cultural hats that are typical of those folks and what nationalities they are. 

But I MERICAN!  What hats are important to me and my nation?!  Well, thats why I wrote the blogpost silly.  So here are my top 5 hats that impacted America!  

Honorable Mention: 

Fedora

Pure Class

What a brilliant hat! Made famous in the 1940's and 1950's because of its ability to stay on ones head & for being a soft hat (the way it could be rolled up when not in use. It looks good too! Humphrey Bogart was so well known for making the hat popular, that Fedora was his nickname! Famous archaeologists even wear it! This American icon would have made it much higher on the list if it weren't for all the dungeons and dragon nerds who thought that it made them instantly cool to throw it on at any time with any outfit... American college student, you know what im talking about...

5th Place:

Santa Hat

(Cats hate Santa & are evil!) 

This hat makes the list because of its cultural impact.  Red hat with cotton balls and fur are completely tied with Santa and Christmas; which are inseparable with America.   Sadly, today this hat has little to do with the Ancient Byzantine pastor that loved Jesus, the poor, and children sacrificially and more to do with American mass-consumerism.  However, this hat has had a major impact on the nation so its #5!  

4th Place:

Trucker hat

This just says, "'Merica"

This style of hat was first given out as free promotional items by farmers and feed companies.  Truckers would wear free hats, thus the name.  The American Truck Driver makes America run.  The cheap hats were always lightweight, practical, and were basically billboards for advanced philosophical ideals proclaiming their messages in phrases like "I heart beer!" and "Nascar!"  They became popular in recent decades by camera salesman Ashton Kutcher. 

3rd Place:

Beaver hat

Your probably saying, "What they heck is that?!" Well, I'd love to tell you! Waaay back before America was only 13 colonies, the pioneers and late exploerers were basically getting anything that could be of trade value in the Americas and shipping it overseas in... ships... 

You see, when the English, Dutch, and France settlers realized that their land claims didn't have tons of gold and jewels, as Spain did, they looked for what resources they could. The BIGGEST resource by far was tobacco. However, when they just so happened to ship over a bunch of beaver pelts, they got into the hands of some English hat makers. They hat makers loved the stuff: they were able to make really cool shapes really easy, it was water proof, stylish and cheap. (The famous 'top hat' or D'orsay was a beaver hat.) Well Poppycock! Every European with any class figured he needed to have one! This drove demand for beaver pelts in the Americas through the roof. In 1624 the Dutch in New Amsterdam (later called New York city) shipped 1,500 beaver pelts to the Netherlands! 1500 Beavers!!! So the European nations wanted to get as many colonists and trappers to the Americas they could so that they would send beaver skins home! That's right folks, a major reason The United States of America is here today is because European's wanted fancy hats. Silly but true! Beavers were almost hunted to extinction but in the 1800's silks hat became the cats pajamas and the beaver was saved! Nonetheless for the partial creation of America, the beaver hat gets 3rd!

2nd Place

Coonskin cap

 Ole Davy bear 'Rasslin! 

No other hat, save #1, is more American! The Coon skin cap! 

When European pioneers began settling the Tennessee and Kentucky areas, they took they it from Indians (like their land) & made it their own, evolving its use and wearing them as hunting caps.

The coonskin cap eventually became a part of the iconic image associated with American frontiersmen such as Daniel Boone and Davy Crockett.  When Walt Disney came out with the Davy Crockett television show every boy in America wanted a coonskin cap, and all the raccoons ran for their lives.  They went to Canada, where they now have political asylum.  They don't get fed up there though so they come down here every now and then to eat our garbage. 

Drum roll.........

First Place!

The Cowboy hat

 President Reagan's nickname: Rawhide 

No other hat is more iconic than the American Cowboy hat.  While similar hats were worn on the Tibitian plan plains as early as the 13th century and the REAL hat that dominated the American West was really the Bowler hat, the American "Boss of the West" is ingrained in American Cowboy lore and is recognizable all over globe!  Right next to Baseball and Apple pie, this thing is Pure American!  

Buffalo Bill Cody wore one: Nuff said

John Batterson Stetson was born in New Jersey and was trained as a youth in the Trade of his father, Hat Making.  When he was a young man he was diagnosed with TB and feared that he was never see the American West, as he had always dreamed.  He decided to leave his family and friends to see the West himself.  When he encountered the flea bags that were the American coon skin cap he new that he could make a much better alternative!  Using Light weight fur-felt he molded the american hat:  The Boss of the West.  I own a cowboy hat and its makes me proud!  Here is a comment from one of his biggest fans:

"It kept the sun out of your eyes and off your neck. It was an umbrella. It gave you a bucket (the crown) to water your horse and a cup (the brim) to water yourself. It made a hell of a fan, which you need sometimes for a fire but more often to shunt cows this direction or that."

The Cowboy hat...


To the Cowboy, a life saving tool.


To the Nation, an icon.