A Tip of the Hat...

Am told today is the 200th birthday of William Bowler, the English hat maker for whom that illustrious lid is named. Am also told Bowler himself did not actually design said derby... that was the work of James and George Lock, who called it the "Iron Hat", because it's, you know, stiff. No matter. Enough credit to go around. Without these guys would we even have Laurel and Hardy movies?