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Kazimierz Żegleń was a Polish inventor who is best known for his creation of the bulletproof vest. Born in 1869 in the small village of Kielczewo, Żegleń studied at the Polytechnic School in Dresden, Germany, where he specialized in textile engineering.
In 1897, Żegleń created a prototype of a bulletproof vest made of layered silk, which he called a “parasol.” He tested the vest by shooting at it with a revolver, and to his surprise, the bullets did not penetrate the material. This discovery led him to further develop the idea and create a more practical and effective version of the vest.
After several years of experimentation, Żegleń perfected his design, which consisted of several layers of silk and cotton, held together with a resin-like substance. His invention was first used by Polish police officers in 1901 and later adopted by the French military during World War I.
Thanks to Żegleń’s invention, countless lives have been saved over the years, as the bulletproof vest has become an essential piece of protective equipment for law enforcement and military personnel around the world.
In addition to his work on the bulletproof vest, Żegleń was also a prolific inventor in the field of textiles, holding several patents for his innovations in fabrics and weaving techniques.
Kazimierz Żegleń passed away in 1927, but his legacy lives on in the countless lives saved by his invention. He is remembered as a brilliant inventor whose contributions have had a lasting impact on the world of law enforcement and military protection.