The old school boots

I have alway been facinated by the diving world (I guess that is why I became a diver). The heavy gear has always been one of the things that held so much mistique and wonder for me. I got the opportunity to wear a Morse and Yokohama hat while as school, though we didn’t have the boots.

I have found a book with many articles and advertisements for the original equipment and manufacturers (American Dive Catalog Collection by Ray Mathieson) and the boots are particularly interesting from the Batteryless Telephone Equipment Company Inc. from Pittsburgh, PA.

“These diving shoes are characterized by the use of only the highest grade materials and workmanship” The sole was a cast piece of lead 5/8” thick and upper sole was maple that had been boiled in wax to make it waterproof. The toe was cast bronze and rivets and grommets were placed into “the best quality of carefully tanned Swiss steer hide” for the rest of the boot.

Each boot weight approximately 18 pounds. I think I will stick to my dry suit.