Skis

These skis were made by the American company Head and imported into New Zealand in the early 1960s. They are an example of the first successful production of metal sandwich construction rather than the laminated timber of previous skis. They also feature innovative continuous steel edges created from a flat strip fitted into a slot in the aluminium sole plate. This gave the edges great strength and allowed superior sharpening when compared with the segmented, interlocking steel edges used previously.

Head innovations

American Howard Head developed the first laminated metal ski in 1947 based on his experiences as an aircraft engineer. Metal skis were almost as heavy as conventional wooden ones, but were stronger and easier to control, making turning significantly easier. In 1950, he founded the Head Ski Company which became very successful and helped popularise alpine skiing in the United States.

These Head Standard skis have a plywood core glued under pressure and heat between aluminum sheets, with plastic sidewalls. The secret to success was a flexible glue that allowed the different layers to bend without weakening. Head skis, along with competitors and imitators, supplanted at least half the wooden skis in the world by 1960.

Making skiing safer

On these skis, the boot was held in place by a Marker Simplex double pivot toe unit combined with a Tyrolia front throw release cable. This was typical of early 'safety' bindings and a significant advance on the totally non-release bindings that preceded them (which caused many leg injuries). In a severe forward fall, the raising of the boot heel caused the cable to drag an adjustable spring loaded clip along the front closing lever until release occurred when the lever flew open. The adjustable double pivot toe allowed the boot to twist sideways a little before releasing altogether.

Famous owner

These skis were owned by successful businessman and industrialist Sir Bryan Todd (1902-87). He was a competition-winning skier, and the driving force in the establishment of Ruapehu Alpine Lifts (RAL), the company still operating the lifts and facilities on Mt. Ruapehu today at Whakapapa and Turoa skifields.