The pith helmet was first worn by Spanish forces when colonizing the Spanish East Indies in the early 1800s. It was later worn by the French in Indochina, primarily because of how well it protected against the damp and humid weather. It gets its name from the material of which it's made: the spongy, soft tissue found inside the trunk of the Indian Sola tree.
It was also in wide use by colonizers who wished to establish a foothold in India and Africa. During the Anglo – Zulu war, British soldiers found that the white cloth covering of their helmets made them rather conspicuous targets so they started staining them with tea, which explains the khaki color of all modern pith helmets.
By the 1930s, civilians began wearing pith helmets, particularly big game hunters who ventured into the subcontinent on safari, armed to the teeth and looking for animal trophies.
I like to think there were one or two tigers who thought the pith helmets looked ridiculous on humans and adopted the style for themselves. After dispatching the wearer, of course.
It was also in wide use by colonizers who wished to establish a foothold in India and Africa. During the Anglo – Zulu war, British soldiers found that the white cloth covering of their helmets made them rather conspicuous targets so they started staining them with tea, which explains the khaki color of all modern pith helmets.
By the 1930s, civilians began wearing pith helmets, particularly big game hunters who ventured into the subcontinent on safari, armed to the teeth and looking for animal trophies.
I like to think there were one or two tigers who thought the pith helmets looked ridiculous on humans and adopted the style for themselves. After dispatching the wearer, of course.