60’s Mid-Century Plaid Wool Aviator HatAviator hats became popular in the early days of the 20th century as open cockpit airplanes grew in use. Pilots needed a hat to keep their heads and ears warm, as well as goggles to protect their eyes in flight. Aviator's hats continued in aviation use through the Second World War, until the age of jet fighters, when solid plastic and, later, carbon fiber helmets replaced leather caps in the cockpits of planes. Even with the advent of closed cockpit