"Obit of the Day" ~ My Daddy

Obit of the Day: Inventor of the “Hummer Helmet”

David Leslie was a stockbroker by trade but his true love 

was nature. He and his wife, Mary, owned a cabin in 

northern Wisconsion which had a plethora of 

hummingbirds. Although they enjoyed watching the 

birds up close at feeders set up outside the house, it 

wasn’t quite close enough for Mr. Leslie.

So he invented the “Hummer Helmet.” The design 

was basic: a baseball helmet with three hummingbird 

feeders attached. Wearers of the helmet would be able 

to observe hummingbirds from the distance of 6 to 18

inches.  The helmet led to appearances on KSTP-TV and 

Animal Planet. But the breakthrough came when 

David Letterman invited Mr. Leslie onto The Late 

Show.  Mr. Leslie stayed in Minnesota while 

Mr. Letterman spoke to him via satellite. He would share 

periodic hummingbird updates throughout the show.

Mr Leslie, who owned patent #5996127 for the 

Hummer Helmet, died on February 5, 2013 at the age 

of 84. 

Sources: Minneapolis Star-Tribune, Minnesota 

Public Radio and his patent

(Image of Mr. Leslie wearing his invention during his Late Showappearance is courtesy of the Star-Tribune)

Obit of the Day has featured several inventors. You can find them here.

Oh how I miss you Papa~ I didn't think you would ever leave me...

but you did say it would be okay, and some days it is but on others 

the grief is deep~  I love you.. Kissess for you and Mom~ Pooh

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