Randy Chandler
Putting cheese on one's head is a tradition that has been observed by Wisconsinites, who wear giant triangles of yellow foam in the shape of cheese wedges as hats. This tradition, which began in the 1980s, is often observed at sporting events, from football to baseball. The tradition is also observed in other parts of the world, including Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Serbia, Slovakia, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Estonia, Bulgaria, and Austria. In these countries, head cheese refers to a dish made from the cooked meat of pig heads, which is then pressed and formed into the shape of a sausage or put into a mold or loaf pan.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Country | Wisconsin, USA |
| Sport | Baseball, football, college |
| Company | Foamation |
| Founder | Ralph Bruno |
| Year | 1987 |
| Location | 1120 S. Barclay St. Milwaukee, Wisc |
| Rivalry | Wisconsinites vs Illinois fans |
| Symbol | Cultural and political symbol of Wisconsin |
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What You'll Learn
- Wisconsinites wear cheeseheads to support their state, historically known for its dairy production
- Cheeseheads were first created in 1987 by Ralph Bruno, who started the company Foamation
- German soldiers used cheesehead as a derogatory term for the Dutch during World War II
- The term cheesehead is now embraced by Wisconsinites and is a point of pride
- Cheeseheads are said to have potentially life-saving uses, such as in a plane crash
Wisconsinites wear cheeseheads to support their state, historically known for its dairy production
Wisconsin is historically known for its dairy production, which has earned it the nickname "America's Dairyland". The state's association with cheese dates back to when it produced more dairy products than other American states. This history has led to Wisconsinites being nicknamed "cheeseheads", a term that was initially used as a derogatory remark by Illinois sports fans in reference to their rivals in Wisconsin.
The term "cheesehead" was embraced by Wisconsinites, who now wear hats in the shape of cheese wedges to sporting events, from football to baseball. The iconic cheesehead hat was created by Ralph Bruno in 1987, when he crafted one out of foam after seeing a cardboard version at a Milwaukee Brewers vs. Chicago White Sox game. Bruno's company, Foamation, has since sold millions of these hats, which have become a cultural and political symbol of Wisconsin and its dairy heritage.
The cheesehead hat even gained attention for its potential to save lives during a plane crash. In 1995, a Packers fan, Frank Emmert Jr., survived a plane crash with minor injuries, crediting his cheesehead hat for protecting him. This incident further solidified the cheesehead hat as a symbol of Wisconsinite pride and ingenuity.
Beyond the hats, the cheesehead culture in Wisconsin has also inspired other creative products, such as foam cheese bowties and Christmas tree toppers, all paying homage to the state's dairy heritage and its impact on their identity.
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Cheeseheads were first created in 1987 by Ralph Bruno, who started the company Foamation
Cheeseheads, giant triangles of yellow foam in the shape of a wedge of cheese, were first created in 1987 by Ralph Bruno, a Milwaukee native who started the company Foamation Inc., currently based in Walker's Point. The idea for the original Cheesehead came about when Bruno was helping his mother reupholster her couch. He took a piece of spare polyurethane foam from the couch, cut it into a triangle, burned holes into it with a wood burner, and spray-painted it yellow.
Bruno first wore his creation at a Milwaukee Brewers game in 1987, where the Brewers played against another Chicago team, the White Sox. The Cheesehead attracted attention and admirers, and Bruno soon began manufacturing and selling Cheeseheads full-time. He sold them at games and in retail shops and cheese stores around his neighbourhood. Eventually, the Cheesehead became a symbol of Wisconsin pride, and Bruno opened Foamation Inc. Today, Foamation produces everything from foam cheese bowties to Christmas tree toppers, and the company makes over $1 million in annual sales.
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German soldiers used cheesehead as a derogatory term for the Dutch during World War II
The term "cheesehead" has been used in various contexts and regions, with different connotations and meanings. During World War II, German soldiers used the term "cheesehead" as a derogatory slur to refer to the Dutch, alluding to the Netherlands' extensive dairy farming industry. This usage of the term by German soldiers is a specific instance within the broader history of the word "cheesehead" and its cultural significance.
The origin of the term "cheesehead" as a derogatory label can be traced back to its adoption by Illinois sports fans, who initially used it to taunt their rivals, the Wisconsin sports fans, during sporting events in the 1980s. The Illinois fans intended to mock their Wisconsin counterparts by associating them with cheese, a stereotype that arose from Wisconsin's historical reputation as a prominent producer of dairy products in the United States, earning it the nickname "America's Dairyland."
However, in a display of defiance and pride, Wisconsinites embraced the term "cheesehead" and made it their own. They began wearing large triangles of yellow foam in the shape of cheese on their heads, turning a negative label into a symbol of unity and regional identity. This cultural phenomenon extended beyond sports and became intertwined with Wisconsin's political landscape, with delegates sporting cheesehead hats at both the 2024 Republican and Democratic National Conventions.
The appropriation of the term "cheesehead" by Wisconsinites showcases the power of reclaiming derogatory language. By taking ownership of the label, they transformed it from an insult into a badge of honour, fostering a sense of community and shared identity. This evolution of the term's perception highlights the complex dynamics of language and the potential for groups to redefine and reshape the meanings of words to serve their own cultural and social needs.
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The term cheesehead is now embraced by Wisconsinites and is a point of pride
The term "cheesehead" has been embraced by Wisconsinites and has become a point of pride, but it didn't start out that way. The use of the term "cheesehead" as a derogatory word for Wisconsinites originated with Illinois football and baseball fans, who used it to refer to opposing Wisconsin sports fans. The term was first used in the 1980s, and it was meant to mock Wisconsin's association with cheese and dairy products. Wisconsin is known as "America's Dairyland" because the state has historically produced more dairy products than other American states.
However, Wisconsinites quickly embraced the term and turned it into a symbol of pride and state identity. In 1987, Ralph Bruno, a Wisconsin native, started the Foamation cheesehead company, which sells foam hats in the shape of cheese wedges. These hats became popular among Wisconsin sports fans, who wore them to games as a way to show their state pride and support for their teams. The hats have become so popular that they are now seen beyond sporting events, evolving into a cultural and political symbol of Wisconsin.
The Cheesehead gained even more attention in 1995 when a Packers fan, Frank Emmert Jr., survived a plane crash while wearing one. Emmert suffered minor injuries but credited his Cheesehead hat for saving him from more serious harm. This incident further solidified the Cheesehead as a symbol of Wisconsin pride and even protection.
Today, the Foamation company continues to produce a variety of cheese-themed products, from foam cheese bowties to Christmas tree toppers. The company has also expanded its offerings to include fans outside of Wisconsin, creating hats such as the cornhead for Nebraska Cornhuskers fans and the buffalo chicken hat for wing lovers in Buffalo, New York. The "Cheesehead" trademark is owned by Foamation, Inc. of St. Francis, Wisconsin, which began manufacturing the wearable, foam "Cheesehead" hats in 1987.
While the term "cheesehead" may have started as a derogatory term, it has been fully embraced by Wisconsinites, who have turned it into a symbol of state pride and community. The foam cheese hats have become a unique and recognizable part of Wisconsin's culture and sports fandom, showcasing the power of turning a negative into a positive and uniting people under a shared identity.
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Cheeseheads are said to have potentially life-saving uses, such as in a plane crash
Cheesehead hats are a cultural and political symbol of Wisconsin. The state is associated with cheese because it has historically produced more dairy products than other American states, earning it the nickname "America's Dairyland". The term "Cheesehead" was originally used as a derogatory term by Illinois baseball and football fans to refer to Wisconsin sports fans. However, Wisconsinites quickly embraced the term, and it became a source of pride.
The Cheesehead hat was first created in 1987 by Ralph Bruno, who started the company Foamation, which produces foam hats in the shape of cheese wedges. The hats are commonly worn by Wisconsin sports fans, from college to professional teams, and have evolved beyond sports to become a symbol of Wisconsin culture and pride.
The Cheesehead hat gained widespread attention in 1995 when a Packers fan, Frank Emmert Jr., was involved in a plane crash while flying back to Wisconsin after attending a Packers game. Emmert suffered a broken ankle and minor injuries but was protected from further harm by his Cheesehead hat. This incident led to claims that Cheesehead hats could potentially save lives in a plane crash.
While the primary purpose of the Cheesehead hat is to show support for Wisconsin sports teams and state pride, the potential life-saving use as suggested by Emmert's experience has added an unexpected dimension to the significance of these distinctive foam hats.
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Frequently asked questions
Putting cheese on one's head is not a common practice. However, there is a cultural phenomenon of wearing "cheeseheads", which are hats in the shape of cheese wedges, that originated in Wisconsin.
Cheeseheads are hats made of foam in the shape of cheese wedges. They are typically worn by fans of the Green Bay Packers, a football team based in Wisconsin.
Cheeseheads are worn by fans of the Green Bay Packers as a symbol of pride and support for their team. Wisconsin is known for its dairy production and has earned the nickname "America's Dairyland", so cheese is a natural symbol of the state.
The tradition of wearing cheeseheads started in the 1980s when Illinois sports fans used the term cheesehead as a derogatory term for Wisconsinites. However, Wisconsinites embraced the term and started wearing foam cheese hats to sporting events, turning it into a symbol of pride and endearment.
Aside from showing support for the Green Bay Packers and Wisconsin sports teams, there have been anecdotes of cheeseheads providing protection during plane crashes, potentially saving lives.
