1904: Kapok Life Jacket

In 1904, a new material called kapok, a fiber from the tropical kapok tree, was introduced for life jackets. The kapok fiber is a cotton-like material that is naturally buoyant and moisture resistant. It could be made softer and more pliable than cork.

Kapok allowed for designs that provided better distribution of buoyant force, making it possible to protect unconscious victims by turning their bodies and keeping their heads out of the water. This feature is often called turning, righting moment, turning time, or airway protection, and it is another critical aspect of life jacket design and crucial to the performance of life jackets, especially those designed for use offshore.