Friction strip jerseys first appeared in the early to mid-1920's and continued to be worn by players until the mid-1930's. While the purpose of the friction strips were to help players with ball security, their use created some of the most unique and interesting jersey designs in the history of American football. The offered example was manufactured by the B.H. Dyas Company, a department store in Los Angeles California. Dyas was purchased by The Broadway in 1931, which suggests that this jersey predates the acquisition.
May 2015
Our May Football Artifact of the Month is a late 1920's - early 1930's friction strip jersey offered by Keith Javic of Antique Sports Shop and listed for sale on his site, AntiqueSportsShop.com.
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Mid 1920's - Early 1930's Friction Jersey
AntiqueSportsShop.com, Photo #1
AntiqueSportsShop.com, Photo #3
AntiqueSportsShop.com, Photo #2
Friction Strip Jersey Advertisement, Goldsmith Fall & Winter Equipment Catalog 1925-26.
Friction Jerseyattributed to Washington & Jefferson College, Circa 1930.
Friction Jerseyattributed to University of Toledo, Circa 1925.
Friction Jersey, Legendary Auctions, December 2008
Friction Jersey, Hunt Auctions, July 2012
Team Photo showing Friction Jerseys, circa 1935
1920's Friction Jersey, Legendary Auctions
1920's Friction Jersey, Legendary Auctions
Friction Jersey Examples
In the mid-1930's the NCAA began enacting rules that focused on eliminating equipment that gave players or teams unfair competitive advantages. It is perhaps not a coincidence that friction jerseys began disappearing from team photos in the late 1930's, and were no longer sold by equipment manufacturers in the 1940's.
Unfair Competitive Advantages
Holdtight Jersey Advertisement, Alex Taylor Fall & Winter Catalog, 1929
