Hats Off to Harry

The 1920’s– a decade of transformation, prosperity, and going against the mold, rightfully living up to its nickname, “Roaring ’20s.” In this vibrant era, hat maker Harry Rolnick, a devotee to quality with a flair for fashion, stepped into the scene to put his own spin on headwear.

In 1927, Rolnick joined forces with billionaire hat enthusiast, E.R. Byer, to design dress hats under the name, “Resistol Hats” (The name was coined from fur’s ability to “resist-all” weather and the patented headband resisting scalp oils). By 1935, they added the infamous western line and by 1938, they named Garland, Texas their home. Byer retired from the gear business and settled on a farm outside of Garland, where he lived his life financially supporting Byer-Rolnick Corporation.

Resistol Hats initially prospered by its location in the heart of western wear country–Texas–and by Rolnick’s innovations. Before Rolnick’s involvement, hat wearers sweated through their hats, creating a line of discoloration. This was proudly worn by working cowboys, but a source of embarrassment by active business men. Rolnick patented a process to prevent this, as well as the “Self Conforming Hatband,” which allows the hat to adjust to each unique head shape. Additionally, he coined “kitten finish,” the sanding process to create the suede-like finish in felt hats.

His innovation propelled the company’s presence beyond Texas and Oklahoma. He avoided surrendering to the Great Depression by turning his cowboy hats into the symbol of the American West. Icons like John Wayne and Henry Fonda sported his hats, and for a short time, he worked as the exclusive designer for Warner Brothers. Even President Lyndon B. Johnson famously wore a Resistol hat.

To this day, the original factories in Garland and Longview still operate, using the same machinery approved by Rolnick. As the saying goes, “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.”

Resistol proudly honors Harry Rolnick’s legacy by staying true to his devotion to quality and continuing his innovative streak.

Here’s to Harry—hats off.