Dunhill Patent Shield Pipe - a century of innovation
Do you know the patent dunhill pipes with a wind shield? If this is news to you after more than a hundred years, as it was for me, read this article.
Recently, I came across a replica of a patented Dunhill pipe with a front shield, which I consider a true curiosity that I would like to share with you. On a period promotional poster, it is presented as a pipe for athletes, cyclists, yachtsmen, and motorists, which is quite amusing from today's perspective. So, let’s take a closer look at this special pipe from the innovative Dunhill.
The Dunhill brand was founded by Alfred Dunhill in 1907 in London. From the very beginning, it emphasized functional innovations, not just aesthetics. During the period of approximately 1912–1920, the company patented several construction solutions for pipes, particularly in the area of mouthpieces, achieving better smoke draw and moisture condensation.
Among the most interesting experiments of the Dunhill brand are pipes with a shield and today they are among the most valued. This is not just a mere curiosity, but a practical response to a real problem: how to smoke a pipe outside in the wind and discomfort without the smoking turning into a struggle to keep the ember alive.
According to period advertising, the pipe, thanks to its shield, prevents discomfort when smoking in buses, trams, cars, on bicycles, and in the open air. It is also invaluable in the household, as the shield prevents ash from falling onto carpets, billiard, or card tables.
The very idea takes me back a hundred years to the gentlemanly atmosphere of Victorian England. And how do you see it, do you find this pipe interesting, and do you have tips on other curiosities not only from Dunhill's creations?
