History
Coveralls for Paul Bunyan?
A giant lumberjack, Paul Bunyan is a folk hero in American and Canadian folklore. His exploits revolve around the tall tales of his superhuman labors, and he is sometimes accompanied by Babe the Blue Ox. The legendary character and ruler of the lumber camps originated in the oral tradition of North American loggers and was later popularized by freelance writer William B. Laughead (1882–1958) in a 1916 promotional pamphlet for the Red River Lumber Company.
An article appeared in the June 1960 issue of THE NEEDLE’S EYE concerning a pair of coveralls (overalls), made as a publicity stunt that Paul Bunyan could have worn. Coveralls are not the proper dress for a lumberjack, but we are sure that the maker of these large coveralls could produce something equally as large in a Mackinaw coat for Paul and his followers. These coveralls were made by Geoge Fournier of Snow Baker Co., Whitefield, New Hampshire as a publicity stunt.
P.S. These girls are not midgets!
THE NEEDLE’S EYE received word from Mahlon R. Saibel of Kurt Salmon Associates of another pair of huge overalls that were not made as an attention-getter, but was actually made for a customer, size 68! But that isn’t all. Mr. Saibel also reports that the same company also made, on special order, one pair of size 89. The pair of 68s may be seen in the photo from August 1960 with three full-size ladies standing in them. These overalls were made in the Blue Bell plant in Oneonta, Alabama.
The articles that appeared in the June and August issues of THE NEEDLE’S EYE concerned coveralls that could very well have been made for Paul Bunyan.
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THE NEEDLE’S EYE received word from A.B. Lankford, President of T.S. Lankford & Sons (Abilene, Texas), a manufacturer of industrial uniforms, regarding trousers that his company made for Mr. Bill Ward, now deceased. Mr. Ward, who was known as the biggest Justice of the Peace in Texas at that time, also operated a men’s clothing store. The trousers measured 89” (226.06 cm) X 32” (81.28 cm). The October 1960 photo shows three lovely ladies “modeling“ the trousers.
In recent issues of THE NEEDLE’S EYE, articles have appeared concerning oversize overalls. Many of our fine readers have written with additional information. The latest contributor is Mr. Cecil Scott of Bayly Manufacturing Company, Portland, Oregon. The accompanying December 1960 photo shows a large pair of overalls that measure 100“ (254 cm) X 48“ (121.92 cm). Do not become alarmed, however. Cecil informed us that the coveralls were made strictly for advertising purposes.
This completes Paul Bunyan’s wardrobe. Does anyone have a photo of coveralls larger than these?
In recent issues of THE NEEDLE’S EYE, articles have appeared concerning oversize overalls. Many of our fine readers have written with additional information. The latest contributor is Mr. Cecil Scott of Bayly Manufacturing Company, Portland, Oregon. The accompanying December 1960 photo shows a large pair of overalls that measure 100“ (254 cm) X 48“ (121.92 cm). Do not become alarmed, however. Cecil informed us that the coveralls were made strictly for advertising purposes.
This completes Paul Bunyan’s wardrobe. Does anyone have a photo of coveralls larger than these?
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The Needle's Eye
June 1960
The Needle's EyeAugust 1960
The Needle's EyeOctober 1960
The Needle's EyeDecember 1960
