Dwight Eisenhower ' s World War II Leather Jacket A War Relic Of Historical Significance

Dwight Eisenhower is generally referred to tidily as the 34th Honcho of the United States, but historically language he was indeed the key military strategist in successfully leading and managing the Allied Forces to victory in World War II, especially for carrying out the Allied assault on the coast of Normandy, one era following the D - Day invasion in June of 1944. Although many leaders played crucial roles in the ultimate outcome of the war, some would say that unredeemed Ike, victory would not have come as soon as it did, if at all.

During World War II General Dwight D. Eisenhower sometimes wore a leather jacket ( similar to, but not identical to, a bomber jacket or flight jacket ) while living at Telegraph Cottage, 15 miles south of London. This house was the location of his headquarters during World War II while in command of the Allied forces. This rare, historic, World War II relic has been located and acquired by a private collector in the U. S.

Made of genuine leather, the jacket has four bullion stars sown onto the shoulder, which mark the General ' s rank at the time. While he was a Four - Star General for 17 months during the War, for the final 7 months he was a Five - Star General. At that time the leather jacket went into the hands of the General ' s valet, Sgt. John Moaney. There is no evidence, either as of this writing or the Sargent ' s recollection, that it was ever replaced with a Five - Star Leather Jacket for the final 7 months of the War.

Later it was learned that this very leather jacket was presented, nearly 30 years ago, to a private collector. Impeccable provenance, in the form of a detailed letter written on white house stationary, attesting to all historic details many years ago. Specifically, this leather jacket came from Sgt. Moaney and his wife Delores, who was also the Eisenhower ' s personal cook. In fact, the Eisenhower ' s were so fond of this couple that following the 8 years they spent together in The White House the Moaney ' s were invited to move to Gettysburg farm, and live near the retirement home of the Eisenhower ' s. This move came to fruition following the inauguration of John F. Kennedy on January 20, 1961.

Upon his death in 1969, Ike also bequeathed to Sgt. Moaney his handsome 18 - karat Yellow Gold Datejust ( a rare make by the most famous watch manufacturer in the world today ), as well as a cash gift; an additional token of the President ' s affection. From 1942 until the President ' s death in 1969, he was with Ike almost daily. Years before the President ' s death, Eisenhower authored a book entitled At Ease, in which he thoughtfully described John as indispensable to him during his lifetime.

A Short History Of The Leather Motorcycle Jacket

Always made in the USA and 100 % allegiant every Schott NYC leather or wool jacket comes with a history, a legend spanning 90 age and four generations of Schotts in America. As able-bodied, the time frame spans 22 presidents, two world wars, one King not to mention the passion affair of Americans and the open road. How many have secluded their cares behind and hit the open road in Schott leather... impossible to divulge.

In 1913, as Ford ' s new Model T began to crowd the today bustling streets of New York City, two brothers, the sons of a Russian immigrant, went abutting their piece of the American Dream. Irving and Jack Schott starting making raincoats in a basement on the Lower East Side of Manhattan which were then sold by street peddlers door to door.

Into the mid 1920s, when Al Capone and Babe Ruth were in the news breaking laws and records, the Schott brothers changed the way we dress forever when they were the first to put a zipper on a jacket. This totally changed American fashion, and attire. Glad we are today that the Schott brothers had the thought to utilize a zipper on one of their jackets!

Innovation being the modus operandi of the times the Schott brothers targeted the motorcycle market and the leather jacket. In 1928 Irving Schott produced the first leather motorcycle jacket from his own design. At $5. 50 each and named the " Perfecto " it was an instant success. This rugged and durable leather motorcycle jacket became the symbol of the American fascination with motorcycles and the symbol of freedom and the biker image.

Soon the country would be thrust into a World War and the Schott brother would be commissioned by the US Air Force to produce what became the " bomber jacket " out of leather. The leather was an asset to keep the wind away from our soldiers bodies, and kept them warm at the high altitudes they flew at. Below, on the decks of the ships, servicemen utilized the Schott leather pea coats, and wool pea coats, to keep the chill of the open sea from reaching down to their bones.

With WWII over and the threat of communism put in check by MacArthur in Korea, this country was witnessing the rise of a new rebellion - one that would be fought with fast cars and Rock and Roll. In 1954, the now cult classic " The Wild Ones " featured the hot young actor, Marlon Brando, perched on his motorcycle wearing his Schott Perfecto. The subsequent spike in popularity of the Perfecto surprisingly resulted in decreased sales. The jackets were actually banned by school systems around the country because they symbolized a burgeoning teen demographic, the " hood ".

Over the past 50 years Schott NYC has seen new leadership and continues to grow. Styles and products have changed, and some stayed the same, as materials are modernized, changed and fashion styles have come and gone. Schott accessories abound and are now found worldwide.

Schott continues their motorcycle heritage expanding into sunglasses, bags, nylons and wools at their 100 year old factory in the New York City area.

Four generations of Schott ' s thank you for appreciating our quality leather products and our passion for the motorcycle jacket.

Mens Leather Belts - The History of Belts

Men ' s leather belts were slightest invented during the Bronze Age. Women occasionally wore belts, but mainly it was the men. Between then and now, belts waxed and waned in deification, depending on the other clothes worn. For the most part, belts have been for men, with women occasionally donning them as whole.

During the 1800s, men didn ' t wear belts unless they were in the military, ofttimes sticking to suspenders instead. The cut of slacks at the time made belts rough, hence the average citizen didn ' t wear them. That changed during WWI, when men got used to the belts worn with their uniforms, and brought that fashion back home with them, ousting suspenders for the top spot in keeping one ' s pants up.

During the first half of the century, Art Nuveau made a splash with specially - designed belt buckles, which today fetch a healthy sum. During the middle of the 20th century, Hollywood wanted to give cowboys a distinctive look, so they put large belt buckles on their actors, despite the fact that genuine cowboys wore primarily suspenders. This trend has bled into modern culture, with large belt buckles a piece of Western wear. Notable wearers of the large belt buckle include George W. Bush and Governor Schwarzenegger. Also, the prize given after a rodeo event is often an oversized belt - buckle as well.

Belts have generally been for function, especially men ' s leather belts, but women have been using belts lately for both form and function, using belts to emphasize their feminine shape. In the world wars, the Axis soldiers used belts in a similar fashion, to show off the size of their chests, as a way to decrease the morale of the enemy.

Modern belts have evolved to suit almost any fashion, from cheap webbed or cloth belts with square buckles, to the highest levels of upper class who can get diamond and gold encrusted leather belts with precious stones and custom designs for tens of thousands of dollars. Designers have created subtle belts with designs sewn in with stitching, some have printed their designs on the outside of belts decorated with metal studs, and some keep a simple strip of leather and let the buckle do all the work.

Belt buckles have also changed. In the Bronze Age, the buckle had a shield with designs of warriors or animals fighting, which later generations also did with their belt buckles. Modern buckles share a similar vision with the patriotic emblems seen on the large " cowboy buckles " with things like flags and eagles. The current box style buckle has been a more recent invention, with a piece inside of it that holds the belt in place using friction instead of a pin, which has been the traditional method for keeping a belt in place since inception.

Whatever style of belt you wear, think about the fact that you ' re sharing a style that millions of people spanning from today to the Bronze Ages have enjoyed.