Under the Hat: The Complicated History of the Pith Helmet

What becomes of the relics that haunt our collective consciousness? From the not-so-long-ago confederate monuments to the chilling remnants of Nazi memorabilia. Among these charged artifacts stands the pith helmet, emblematic of colonial brutality, an icon shrouded in a complex and disturbing past.

For over four decades, collector Douglas Zinn has been on a relentless quest, navigating a jungle of tropical sun hats - from the notorious pith helmet to all other types (such as the salakot and the topee). His triumph? A collection boasting over 450 of these historical cover-ups, along with a trove of ephemera: posters, toys, and stamps. In short, he has become a connoisseur; and along the way, he has ordered up some controversy, too.

Zinn admits, the pith helmet itself is a paradox – an unsettling history rolled into a charming design that found its way to every corner of the globe. The documentary, “Under the Hat: The Complicated History of the Pith Helmet” offers a deep-dive exploration into the pith helmet’s convoluted past, and Zinn's own struggle as he grapples with the dark side of his collection.

Under the Hat... is your guide through the winding alleys of history, dissecting this compelling artifact and unmasking layers of its ominous implications. This is a story to unearth - because history, no matter how grisly, demands to be acknowledged.