Female-Specific Fit and Functional Design for the Grand Canyon National Park Service Search and Rescue Ranger Uniforms
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Date
2020
Authors
Null, Jennifer
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
University of Oregon
Abstract
Women have been unofficial employees of the National Park Service from its foundation in 1916. Two
short years later, in 1918, the first female ranger was hired. Outfitting the female rangers, however, has
a been a rough and often times controversial path. Early on, the women in the service would wear a
make shift uniform, often times utilizing their husbands’ hunting clothing or the men’s uniform. Today,
women’s cut clothing is provided but is very similar the men’s uniform and inadequately addresses the
unique body shape of the women rangers.
This thesis project will focus on the history and redesigning of National Park Service uniforms (apparel),
specifically law enforcement, female uniforms. Questions to be answered during the course of this
project and paper:
1. What is the history of the current NPS female uniforms? How did the uniforms evolve?
2. What about the current uniforms is working? What is essential or necessary?
3. What about the current uniforms is not working, needs improvement or is debilitating to the
female rangers when performing their job duties?
4. How can the uniforms be improved? What is the final design path going forward?
Description
286 pages
Keywords
National Park Service uniforms, female uniforms, female rangers