Lot 42:
Joe Savoie Flip-Up Diving Helmet – The Second One Made! 1964
Description
Today, diving helmets designed and built by Louisiana commercial diver and inventor Joe Savoie are recognized among the most distinctive and ingenious helmets of the modern commercial-diving era. Savoie did not operate a large factory or promote his helmets through major advertising. Working largely by hand at his Louisiana home, he fabricated stainless-steel components himself, incorporated commercially available fittings where practical, and developed helmets whose reputation spread largely by word of mouth among working divers.
This extraordinary helmet dates to the very beginning of that story. Made in March 1964, it is believed to be the second Joe Savoie flip-up diving helmet ever constructed. Savoie’s earliest helmets incorporated fiberglass motorcycle helmet shells manufactured by AGV of Italy, which he reportedly obtained through an auto-parts catalog. According to Savoie’s own account, inspiration for the concept came while sitting in a decompression chamber reading a Buck Rogers comic book in which a motorcycle helmet was adapted into a space helmet. From that unlikely inspiration emerged one of the most innovative and revolutionary helmet designs in the history of commercial diving.
The early flip-up design allowed a diver to raise the entire face assembly while on the surface, providing fresh air and making it possible to talk, drink or smoke without removing the helmet. Savoie also incorporated an oval neck ring and neoprene neck dam—concepts that were entirely new to commercial diving helmets at the time. These innovations would become fundamental features of later lightweight commercial diving helmets, although unfortunately for Savoie, they were not included in his patent.
During 1964 and 1965, each helmet was slowly handmade while Savoie continued diving part time. The complicated flip-up mechanism required numerous individually fabricated parts and was extremely time-consuming to build. Savoie produced only twelve of these original flip-up helmets. He was extremely selective about who could own one, building them only for divers he personally considered worthy of using his design. After the twelfth example, Savoie abandoned the complicated flip-up arrangement in favor of his later fixed-face fiberglass helmets, which themselves are exceptionally difficult to find today.
These earliest helmets were not conventionally serial numbered. Instead, Savoie stamped identifying letters into both the tang and outside base of the retaining ring. The first helmet apparently carried no letter; the second was marked "A, " followed by "B" on the third and continuing thereafter. This helmet carries the matching "A" designation, identifying it as the second example produced.
Its survival is equally remarkable. The helmet remains exceptionally complete, retaining most of its original exterior and interior components and hardware. The fiberglass shell displays a striking deep red finish, believed to be a later repaint. The neck-dam assembly remains complete and locks properly into position, while the elaborate flip-up face assembly continues to operate smoothly. Its handmade character is readily apparent throughout, including the prominently stamped "DESIGNED–MFG. BY JOE SAVOIE" hardware.
Nation’s Attic has had the privilege of handling numerous fiberglass and stainless-steel Joe Savoie helmets over the years, but this is the first of the twelve original flip-up helmets we have ever offered—and it is the second one Joe Savoie ever made. More than simply a rare diving helmet, it represents one of the earliest surviving artifacts from a revolutionary period in commercial diving helmet development. For the advanced diving-history collector or museum, it would be difficult to find a more historically significant Joe Savoie helmet.
All diving helmets in this auction will be accompanied by a certificate of authenticity from Nations Attic. The certificate will have a unique number that will match the number on a tamperproof hologram decal placed inside the helmet. This information will be kept on permanent file at Nations Attic and help ensure the provenance of the helmet and authenticity. The display stand shown in the photos is not included. The option to purchase one after the auction will be provided.
All items will be shipped with a signature required upon delivery and full insurance either via FedEx or the USPS Priority Mail. Worldwide shipping is available; however, no ocean freight will be offered on large items. A shipping quote prior to the auction can be provided by emailing your postal code.
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