Gladys Whitcomb Geissmann (August 6, 1908 – June 1978), better known as Merry Hull,[1][2] was an American designer and inventor.
Merry Hull | |
|---|---|
| Born | Gladys Whitcomb Geissmann August 6, 1908 |
| Died | June 1978 (aged 69) |
The sister of illustrator Jon Whitcomb,[3][4] Hull graduated from Ohio Wesleyan University where she was a member of the Alpha Rho chapter of Delta Gamma.[2]
Hull invented a new style of "Free Finger" gloves with U-shaped rather than V-shaped tips. This new style of glove was more comfortable than traditional gloves for women with long nails. She sold the patent to the Daniel Hayes Company.[1] In 1938, the gloves sold for between $4.50 and $6.95.[5][6] According to Life magazine, Hull would earn $200,000 if a million pairs were sold.[1] In 1939, the Lord & Taylor department store awarded Hull a $1,000 prize for her ingenuity.[7][8]
In 1946, Merry Hull created a "Turnabout Unit," a set of bolero, hat, bag, and belt that could be made at home from a pattern. A response to wartime shortages, the "Turnabout Unit" allowed women to update their wardrobes with fabric they already owned. The patterns were sold for ten cents by This Week magazine.[9]
In 1948, the B. Altman department store announced a new line of clothing for young boys from Merry Hull. This new line, "Merry Mites," included a full range of styles for toddler and preschool boys. The clothing was designed with big buttons and strategic zippers for ease of dressing. The adjustable fit allowed each item to be worn by a growing boy for up to two years. The inspiration for "Merry Mites" was Hull's own young son.[10]
Hull was the Neiman Marcus Fashion Award winner in 1949.
References
edit- ^ a b c LIFE. Time Inc. August 29, 1938.
- ^ a b Anchora of Delta Gamma: Vol. 61, No. 2. Delta Gamma Fraternity.
- ^ "The Milwaukee Journal - Google News Archive Search". news.google.com. Retrieved June 3, 2016.[dead link]
- ^ "Madison Lake Times - Google News Archive Search". news.google.com. Retrieved June 3, 2016.
- ^ "Spokane Daily Chronicle - Google News Archive Search". news.google.com. Retrieved June 3, 2016.
- ^ "The Milwaukee Sentinel - Google News Archive Search". news.google.com. Retrieved June 3, 2016.
- ^ Macdonald, Anne (February 8, 1994). Feminine Ingenuity: How Women Inventors Changed America. Random House Publishing Group. ISBN 9780345383143.
- ^ Casey, Susan (January 1, 1997). Women Invent: Two Centuries of Discoveries that Have Shaped Our World. Chicago Review Press. ISBN 9781556523175.
- ^ "The Milwaukee Journal - Google News Archive Search". news.google.com. Retrieved June 3, 2016.
- ^ LIFE. Time Inc. March 15, 1948.
External links
edit- Patent: Glove construction (1938)
- Patent: Glove (1940)
- Patent: Footwear (1945)
- Patent: Scarf (1946)
- Patent: Glove (1951)
- Patent: Child's Garment (1953)
- Patent: Slide fastener closure for apparel (1953)
- Patent: Baby's Garment (1954)'
- Patent: Trouser pocket construction (1956)
- Patent: Slide fastener construction (1960)
- Life Magazine, August 29, 1938