Prior to the 1960s, hats were worn by all men. Aluminium hat stretchers were generally in use from the 1920’s. The hat was placed on the aluminium dome shaped piece. When the handle was turned, the dome section split vertically, one section moving away from the fixed half. A graduated scale along the side indicated the size. This item was possibly used in the hat factory in Orbost. Stuart Hats commenced manufacturing hats in about 1948 and closed their factory in Orbost around 1953 probably because of the high transport costs. The company's head factory was in Melbourne. The hats made in Orbost were sold all over Australia as well as in Melbourne at Myers and David Jones. The building became first a Dry Cleaners and then a private home.This item was possibly used by Stuart Hats which was a significant manufacturing business in Orbost in the 1950's employing nearly 20 local people.A hat stretcher consisting of an aluminium dome-shaped piece (on which the hat was placed) and a metal winder. It has been mounted onto a wooden baseOn wooden base : "Restored by John Mundy"millinery hats hat-stretcher