Seapack
During the steel shortage of WWII, Hartmann collaborated with the US Navy to develop the Seapack, made from a flexible basswood frame – a revolutionary product that was durable yet lightweight.
This material proved to withstand travel better than aluminium or steel, allowing the U.S. to utilise these metals for wartime purposes. It was presented to Prime Minister Winston Churchill by President Roosevelt as an example of outstanding American manufacturing. Later, Seapack evolved into Skymate.
Skymate was designed with a flexible wooden frame and side panels to create more packing space and convenience. Author Ian Fleming immortalised Hartmann in his 1954 novel, Live and Let Die, with Agent 007 – James Bond – carrying a lightweight Hartmann Skymate suitcase.