Lifebelt c. 1865 - 1870

This lifebelt was manufactured by J. & A.W. Birt, a London-based company specializing in marine life-saving apparatus. The lifebelt is made of linen, a sturdy and relatively inexpensive textile, block-printed with the name of the National Life Boat Institution, the manufacturer's name, and registration details. To keep the wearer afloat, the linen would have been filled with granulated cork. The quilted sections ensured that this filling was evenly distributed around the wearer's body. Long linen ties allowed the wearer to fasten the device securely. The object’s materiality speaks to a history of both technological innovation and social concern. As an industrial product, the lifebelt reflects the expansion of maritime industries and the rise of manufacturing. At the same time, it embodies efforts to mitigate the risks faced by those who worked and traveled on the water. Considering this object, we gain insight into the convergence of industrial production, social responsibility, and maritime culture in the 19th century.