The Nail Room
Based in small part on a real-life munitions worker, but primarily a fictitious character, the strong, bandanna-clad “Rosie the Riveter” became perhaps the most iconic image of working women during World War II. Here, a female employee works with a machine to create a nail box. A constant safety concern in industrial environments was how to keep women’s long hair out of the machinery. A bandanna wrapped around the head solved the problem easily and inexpensively. A snood, a small bag attached to a band of cloth or hat and worn at the back of the head, turbans and crocheted hair nets were also popular head wear during the 1940s.
This blue captains hat was worn by Dorthea (nee High) Trask while employed at CF&I. The snood in the back of the hat was for tucking the hair inside to keep it out of her face and away from any machinery. Lapel pins on the front of the hat include the Army Navy "E" Award lapel pin, a bronze eagle and anchor, and a round pin that states "United Steelworkers of America 1945.” Mrs. Trask worked in the Bolt, Ball and Spike Mill during the War years.
