HOWARD HEAD PAPERS, 1926-1991
#589

(11 cubic feet: 17 DB; 7 F/O)

History

Howard Head was born July 31, 1914 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He attended William Penn Charter and graduated from Harvard in 1936 with a degree in engineering. From 1939 to1947, Head worked for Glenn L. Martin Company as a riveter and engineer. He left Martin and founded the Head Ski Company in Timonium, MD in 1948. The former aircraft engineer, developed, designed, manufactured, and marketed the first metal laminate skis in 1950 called the "Head Standard" which revolutionized the ski industry. These skis were made of two layers of aluminum bonded around a core of plywood at very high pressure; the outer layer was made of plastic. By 1952, Head introduced skis with edges made of tempered steel. His skis were lighter and faster than wood and earned the nickname "cheaters" by the industry. In 1969, Head introduced a fiberglass/metal ski, but this ski combined with a diversified product line of javelin and aluminum tennis rackets could not strengthen his company nor stop a takeover by AMF in 1970. In 1968, Head formed a tennis division of Head Sports Inc., to develop a metal tennis racket which he introduced at the U.S. Open in 1969. After Head sold his interests in Head Sports Inc., he became chairman of the board for Prince Manufacturing Inc., in 1971. He decided to enlarge the width and length of the traditional tennis racket, more than doubling its "sweet spot." He developed and patented a line of new aluminum rackets and introduced the "Prince Advantage" in 1976. The Prince racket company was sold to Cheesebrough Ponds in 1982. Head, who died in 1991, revolutionized both the ski and tennis industries.

Scope and Content

The Head Papers, 1926-1991, consist of correspondence, calendars, notes, company records (Head Ski Company and Prince Manufacturing Inc.), drawings, sketches, advertisements, product information, photographs, and slides documenting the development and design of both the Head ski and Prince oversized tennis racket. The collection is arranged into eight series: 

Series 1: BIOGRAPHICAL MATERIALS, 1926-1991

This series contains biographical and historical background information about Howard Head and his business interests. Materials include numerous biographical sketches, histories, and chronologies about Head, the Head Family, business interests, and photographs, specifically portraits of Head as a youth.

Series 2: CORRESPONDENCE & WRITING, 1943-1991

Arranged chronologically, this series contains correspondence and writings on a variety of subjects. The majority of the correspondence (June 1943 to May 1950) is ski-related, specifically Head's work on the "honeycomb ski project." The correspondence includes: Glenn L. Martin Company; Department of Commerce; Ski Illustrated; United States Plywood Corporation; The Sixty Sales Corporation; Aluminum Company of America; Rust-Proofing and Metal Finishing Corporation; Bakelite Corporation; and Thompson Wire Company. Later correspondence (1955 to 1991) consists of Head Ski Company and personal business.

The "Honeycomb Ski" journal (May 1947 to March 1948) documents Head's work on the honeycomb ski project . This typescript journal contains detailed notes on the history of the project, testing procedures, drawings and sketches, and annotations by Head. The calendars--personal/daily--are small pocket size documents created by Head to record personal dates, appointments, telephone numbers, and thoughts. The calendars are arranged chronologically and are numbered from 1 to 35. In some instances, calendars are missing. The logs/notebooks are small pocket versions that Head created to record specific information such as his meetings and telephone numbers. The writings contain works by Head and others.

Series 3: HEAD SKI COMPANY RECORDS, 1943-1990

Head was the first person to apply technology to designing skis. Because of this technological application, Head revolutionized the sport of skiing. This series documents that technological revolution and the history of the Head Ski Company through its executive records, employee/personnel records, financial records, tax records, shop specs and notes, drawings and sketches, patents and trademarks, advertising, product information, publicity and clipping, and photographs. Of note are the shop specs and notes, 1947-1948. These specifications and notes for the development of skis contain drawings, sketches, and calculations. The specifications are dated and signed by Head. The advertising materials include a variety of ad campaigns, the largest of which was "And who makes great skis? Head of course!" The photographs 1957-1990 consist of Head skiing in various locations (Europe, Colorado, California, Idaho, Vermont); ski factories in Baltimore and Timonium, Maryland, documenting the first processes of ski manufacturing and stress tests; and various Head ski executives. The slides (color and black and white) contain images of Head, Head Ski Company, Head Ski Company executives and workers, skis being manufactured and used, and advertising examples.

Series 4: HEAD SKI COMPANY REUNION MATERIALS, August 17, 1986

In 1986, Howard Head organized a 40th anniversary reunion for employees of the Head Ski Company. This reunion celebrated not only Howard Head's contributions to the sport of skiing, but celebrated the many employees who contributed to the excellence of the company. Materials documenting the reunion include party notes, guest lists, employee vignettes, a speech delivered by Head, thank-you notes, and photo albums.

Series 5: PRINCE MANUFACTURING INC. RECORDS, 1971-1991

In 1971, Head became chairman of the board for Prince Manufacturing Inc. In 1973, he proposed a tennis racket design for increased "polar moment of inertia" and a racket that would make one play better, keep the ball in play longer, help one win games, and essentially add a whole new dimension to the game. To do this, Head proposed a racket with a larger head for more hitting room. This series contains historical background, executive records, drawings, financial records, product information, promotional/publicity materials, newspaper clippings, publications, and photographs. Of note are the drawings documenting the process of invention and design for the larger head on the racket and the many celebrities found in the photographs.

Series 6: HEAD HISTORICAL COLLECTION MATERIALS, 1986-1991

Howard Head and later the Administrators of Mr. Head's Estate launched a project to solicit skis and poles from the public in order to develop a collection. Head advertised what models he was seeking for his "definitive museum collection" in various publications. Memorabilia was also sought. The materials in this series include primarily advertisements and correspondence.

Series 7: POSTERS, n.d.

The poster series consists of Prince Manufacturing Inc. promotional posters, a PS Steinbronn Sport Couture poster and a personalized Howard's Head Is All Together poster. The posters are undated and there are multiple copies. Autographed copies are noted in the container list.

Series 8: AUDIO-VISUAL MATERIALS, 1940s-1991

The audio visual materials consist of audio cassettes and moving images. The audio cassettes provide oral history accounts of Howard Head and the Head Family. Other audio casettes include speeches/talks given by Head and interviews with friends/colleagues. The film and video cassettes contain documentation on skiing and tennis and some biographical information. Of particular note are the Head Ski Reunion videos and advertising segments for Prince Manufacturing Inc.

Related Materials

Artifacts donated to the National Museum of American History, Division of Cultural History on May 19, 1997, include downhill skis, ski poles, ski boots, ski bindings, cross sections of downhill skis, competition medals, Prince tennis rackets, and racket covers.

Provenance

This collection was donated to the National Museum of American History by Martha Head on May 19, 1997.

Container List

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