ol timer climbers show them pics

With all this talk on the timelines of when synthetics became available, I was starting to doubt my memory. A quick search found this and reaffirmed that I did, indeed, work for one of the most progressive companies of its time. Ed Hobbs wasn't a follower, even though he learned in the Northern California logging camps, he was quick to recognize and utilize better tools and techniques.

"Dacron®, Terylene® (Polyester):
Polyester

Polyester
History: The Polyester, Terylene®, was developed by Imperial Chemical Industries in 1941. The rights were purchased by duPont in 1946 who subsequently developed the related similar fiber, Dacron®. The introduction of Dacron® rope in 1953 changed things again. The practical benefits of Nylon® were retained with the critical difference that elasticity was markedly reduced. In 1957 Samson introduced the Double Braid construction, and Dacron® ropes were rapidly adopted for halyards, sheets, and static climbing ropes. "
 
DSMc said:
With all this talk on the timelines of when synthetics became available, I was starting to doubt my memory. A quick search found this and reaffirmed that I did, indeed, work for one of the most progressive companies of its time. Ed Hobbs wasn't a follower, even though he learned in the Northern California logging camps, he was quick to recognize and utilize better tools and techniques.

"Dacron®, Terylene® (Polyester):
Polyester

Polyester
History: The Polyester, Terylene®, was developed by Imperial Chemical Industries in 1941. The rights were purchased by duPont in 1946 who subsequently developed the related similar fiber, Dacron®. The introduction of Dacron® rope in 1953 changed things again. The practical benefits of Nylon® were retained with the critical difference that elasticity was markedly reduced. In 1957 Samson introduced the Double Braid construction, and Dacron® ropes were rapidly adopted for halyards, sheets, and static climbing ropes. "
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Thanks DSMc.. I'm loving this history lesson ! Always up to here all about the history of the proffesion and all things tree!Any pics?!
 
Yes, sorry for not answering the first time you asked, Aaron. It was the B&H tree service, based in Moraga, California. Owned by Ed Hobbs, he wrote a small book about those times and the B&H crew, called Cadre of the Mews.
 
From my memory, a bit compromised at best, 69 thru 73 straight manilla, even the bull lines were 3/4 3 strand manilla, then 3 strand esterlon (never saw manilla again anywhere anymore and I worked briefly for a company that had about 40 employees in Princeton NJ), then couple of years later it evolved into braided which was a huge improvement in cl. lines. I think all of the early esterlon was safety blue/NewEngland Ropes (blue insert), both the 3 strand and then the braid as well. I was on the East Coast and I believe it is safe to say that all the new stuff either hit one coast or the other. Maybe the reason for such a late involvement ('78) with manilla for our forum owner mentioned above (Minn.)
 
treevet said:
Maybe the reason for such a late involvement ('78) with manilla for our forum owner mentioned above (Minn.)
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Might be from the coastal creep of knowledge to the center of the country. At about that time, late '70's, I remember that a friend of mine was w0rking for the largest DED removal contractor in the Twin Cities. They weren't using any synth ropes either.
 
From ropes to saddles; going from belt-only to leg straps was one good change, but going from stiff leather saddles to today's Sequoia et al was so nice, safely connected while twisting and turning, and super-light.

DED removals around Milwaukee kept me busy in the '70's; really tough climbing those.
 
TreeLogic said:
FWIW I think the fact we're using more machines to lift logs these days instead of pure manpower will help with our longevity too.
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I remember when I started cutting trees with my grandfather and the amount of saw dust we created on big trees cutting everything to easy to handle pieces ..there is one thing I know he never tried lifting heavy shit ever.. Probably part of the reason he still gets around so well ..even smaller wood which can still be heavy as we know ..we always got two guys on it .Now with the more advanced tree processing machines life is good for the tree removal service . Way easier and lot less strenuous ..how can't we love it . Whats kind of a bummer about it though is the amount of "treeexperts" I see popping up whom have tree killing and processing equipment ,but go look at their pruning work and it makes you sick. I know its probable outfits like this won't stand the test of time ,but in the meantime a big appetite for tree killing is what I see far more of than tree care. Just a rant I suppose.
 
guymayor said:
From ropes to saddles; going from belt-only to leg straps was one good change, but going from stiff leather saddles to today's Sequoia et al was so nice, safely connected while twisting and turning, and super-light.

DED removals around Milwaukee kept me busy in the '70's; really tough climbing those.
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Damn right alot tougher with no spurs ,ascenders , micro pulleys, so on ..my pop has told me stories about shinnying out those long arched branches with hardly a side twig to stand on ..just to trim a branch his foreman wanted trimmed and the foreman never went up a tree in his life ..probably a good reason to go into business for ones self .. I have huge respect for ol time climbers .! Any pics are appreciated!
 
here is one Aaron some have likely seen, one of my favorites. Brings back memories of pruning giant elms on huge estates with mansions in Princeton NJ (Drumthwackit for one) early 70's, and I remember sometimes 4 climbers in one elm (as in pict) tree with plenty to do for hours. All manilla rope and saddle and long handsaws with paintpots attached, company Shearer Tree, large Co. had NO buckets and every crew had 1 or 2 climbers and a groundy, a wooden (heavy) extension ladder on the roof and wooden polesaws and poleclippers and everyone had their own power mac 6 and their box amongst about 40 other boxes filled with a saw ea. morning.

Plenty of shinnying goin on. Elms lend to that.

elm.webp
 
That is an awesome pic treevet Thank you ! Have one similar in my pops collection I've been searching for with four climbers in a pin oak all with sixteen foot pole saws and nobody could get in the others way if they tried ! The shape of those elms are freaking cool though ..I've only had the pleasure of playing in a few ..hard to come by these days.
 
I have been searching for old photos to no avail.. For awhile ..more totes to check for some deep in the attic ..I know there's some good ones worth lookin at. Hope they show ..
 
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