Objects Database

Troll waist belt

Accession Number

1143.2014.1

Object Name

Troll waist belt

Created

16/07/2014

Creator

Hermione Cooper

Accession Date

16/07/2014

Brief Description

Belt with plastic loops and metal buckle.

Materials

nylon webbing

Dimensions

90(l) x 8(w) cms

Number Of Objects

1

Inscription Description

On label "TROLL MADE IN ENGLAND" "FABRIQUE EN ANGLETERRE L"

Colour

cream, maroon,black

Maker

Troll

Object Production Place

England

Provenance

In the early days of mountaineering when the more adventurous types started to venture off the beaten track onto the steep, open faces of the mountain, they thought it was prudent to use ropes, and once a few pals had disappeared down the odd crevasse when crosssing a glacier, roping up was thought to be a very good idea. Initially, folk just tied the rope around their waist using a bowline to secure it, but it soon became apparent that a single rope around the middle was not very comfortable in the event of a fall so wrapping several strands of rope around the middle to form a 'waistband' became the norm for several decades.
It wasn't until the 1960's, when the production of nylon webbing got into full swing, that manufacturers started producing purpose made waist belts specifically designed to absorb the shock of a fall. Leg loops and full body harnesses were to follow fairly soon after.
Troll Equipment were one of the first companies to market the new waist belts from nylon webbing and we have a nice example here in the collection which we reckon dates from the 1970's. Interestingly, the locking buckle system used to secure the belt had been used on military parachutes since the 1940's.

Acquisition Method

Donated by Bill Newton

Acquisition Date

16/07/2014

Condition Check Date

16/07/2014

Rules

Spectrum : UK Museum documentation standard, V.3.1 2007

Modified

16/07/2014

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