We asked asked ChatGPT the QUESTION “Who created the first baseball cap” and this is what the AI thought;
ANSWER:
The baseball cap, also known as a “ball cap” or “dad hat,” has a long history, and its exact origin is not attributed to a single individual. However, the modern design and popularization of the baseball cap can be traced back to the late 19th century.
The first version of the baseball cap featured a round crown and a brim, similar to the caps worn by early baseball players in the mid-1800s. These early caps were made of straw or wool and had a simple design.
In 1860, the Brooklyn Excelsiors baseball team introduced the first documented baseball cap with a long visor or brim in their team uniform. This design helped to protect players’ eyes from the sun during games.
The modernization and mass production of the baseball cap came about in the 1940s when the New Era Cap Company, founded by Ehrhardt Koch, started manufacturing caps specifically for baseball teams. New Era’s fitted caps became the standard in professional baseball, and their popularity spread to the general public.
Since then, many companies have produced baseball caps, and they have become a ubiquitous fashion accessory, worn by people of all ages and backgrounds, not just in baseball but as a casual headwear option.
So, while the specific person who created the very first baseball cap is unknown, the design and popularization of the modern baseball cap can be attributed to the evolution of early baseball uniforms and the manufacturing efforts of companies like New Era.
