{"title":"Brand - HEAD","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSince our launch in 1960, we've achieved a reputation for cutting-edge design, engineering excellence and a passion for championing all sport, everywhere.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv data-element=\"main\" data-appearance=\"contained\" data-content-type=\"row\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv data-element=\"inner\" data-video-fallback-src=\"\" data-video-lazy-load=\"true\" data-video-play-only-visible=\"true\" data-video-loop=\"true\" data-background-type=\"image\" data-background-images=\"{}\" data-parallax-speed=\"0.5\" data-enable-parallax=\"0\" class=\"has-grid narrow line732\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv data-element=\"main\" data-grid-size=\"12\" data-content-type=\"column-group\" class=\"pagebuilder-column-group\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv data-element=\"main\" data-gtm-label=\"\" data-background-images=\"{}\" data-appearance=\"full-height\" data-content-type=\"column\" class=\"pagebuilder-column g-col-12 g-col-md-6 mobile\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv data-element=\"main\" data-appearance=\"default\" data-content-type=\"text\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn 1939, Howard Head went to work as a riveter for aircraft manufacturer Glenn L. Martin Company before securing a position as an engineer.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHead worked at Martin during the war years, when he became known for his fondness for poker and parties. He was still with the company in 1946 when his penchant for socializing led him to try skiing during an outing to Stowe, Vermont, an event that marked a turning point in his life.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDespite being embarrassed by his efforts on the slopes, he was hooked on the sport and determined to improve his skill. Like many a beginner, he blamed the equipment for his poor performance, but unlike the vast majority of skiers, Head possessed the technical knowledge to make a convincing case. Skis at the time were long, heavy, and clumsy; they were also constructed of hickory wood, a material which easily lost its shape and created an unstable ride.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRather than simply devote himself to mastering the use of the traditional ski, Head boasted he could make a better, lighter, more efficient ski using metal and aircraft manufacturing techniques.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHead bought a band saw for $250 and began designing skis in his spare time.\u003cbr\u003eHis concept was not to simply make a metal ski, at which others had tried and failed.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRather, he looked to the metal-sandwich construction method of the aircraft industry, which developed during World War II when chemists created flexible, waterproof glues to bond aluminum and plywood.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn 1947, Head launched his “honeycomb” ski project, so called because he envisioned a ski that was constructed of two layers of aluminum bonded to plywood sidewalls that encased a core of honeycomb plastic.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn 1950, Howard Head incorporated his business as HEAD Ski Company, Inc.\u003cbr\u003eHis skis were not quickly embraced by the market, and it took several years of tireless promotion by Head to establish the expensive Standard as a status symbol product.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAccording to company records, HEAD became the leading brand of ski sold in the United States and Europe by 1955. Convincing world class skiers to adopt composite skis took longer, but significant Olympic victories on HEAD skis during the 1960s sealed the fate of conventional hickory skis.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMoreover, by possessing important patents covering metal ski construction, HEAD was well positioned to take advantage of the rising popularity of skiing while established ski manufacturers struggled to catch up.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eToday, they are the parent company of Mares, SSI, Revo and Liveaboard.com - an amazing legacy!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","products":[],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1193\/9448\/collections\/HEAD_logo.png?v=1678664935","url":"https:\/\/beachcitiesscuba.com\/en-ca\/collections\/brand-head.oembed","provider":"Beach Cities Scuba","version":"1.0","type":"link"}