# Comic strip question - Tinkersons **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Tags:** comic-strips\ **Created:** [June 29, 2025, 12:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/comic-strip-question-tinkersons/1020247 "2025-06-29T12:29:01Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 6\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Dinsdale](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/97f17d/32.png) [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2025, 12:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/comic-strip-question-tinkersons/1020247/1 "2025-06-29T12:29:01Z")
In today’s comic [Take it From the Tinkersons](https://www.seattletimes.com/comics-king/?feature_id=take-it-from-the-tinkersons), what is on the boss’ head? Is that a hat or a hairstyle? Looks like a hard hat or a brimless stetson - but why would he be wearing that inside for a business meeting? ---
**Author:** ![Darren\_Garrison](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/darren_garrison/32/92_2.png) [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2025, 12:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/comic-strip-question-tinkersons/1020247/2 "2025-06-29T12:58:13Z")
I have no idea, but here it is again [![](https://joshreads.com/images/2021/09/Tinkersons_p.20210906_657.gif) ](https://joshreads.com/images/2021/09/Tinkersons_p.20210906_657.gif) Maybe a very badly drawn cowboy hat? ---
**Author:** ![RealityChuck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/realitychuck/32/195_2.png) [@RealityChuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RealityChuck)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2025, 2:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/comic-strip-question-tinkersons/1020247/3 "2025-06-29T14:15:55Z")
I’d guess it’s a form of cowboy hat with ear flaps, though they don’t usually stick up that way when not in use. ---
**Author:** ![Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/13edae/32.png) [@Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stranger_On_A_Train)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2025, 2:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/comic-strip-question-tinkersons/1020247/4 "2025-06-29T14:34:32Z")
An inept cartoonist trying to portray a ‘Tom Mix’ style cowboy hat. The character in question is also wearing what appears to be a flannel shirt so I guess he’s kind of a blue collar worker (or perhaps the owner) in what I assume is an office. It is hard to rival Cathy Guisewite or Scott Adams in how lazy and lacking in talent a cartoonist can be but this comes pretty close. Stranger ---
**Author:** ![Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/elmer_j.fudd/32/1211_2.png) [@Elmer\_J.Fudd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elmer_J.Fudd)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2025, 12:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/comic-strip-question-tinkersons/1020247/5 "2025-06-30T00:32:14Z")
From the cartoonist: **I’ve had a few inquiries to what exactly is on the head of ED-N-SON LIGHT BULBS owner, ED. So, to answer the question…the head gear is…..a cowboy hat.** **Every character is designed with a purpose, so here is how this all came about.** **1. _Why a cowboy hat?_ Ed likes to make his decisions by shooting from the hip like a cowboy in the old west so it made more sense than a beret.** **2. _Why is it so small?_ Well, the hat is small due to the fact that Ed’s ego is so big that not even a 10 gallon hat can fit his head.** **3. _Why does it look so stupid?_ That’s easy. I am not the best at drawing cowboy hats.** **You can also check out Ed’s bio on the characters page for more of his back story.** **Hope this helps.** **Bill** > **[What is on the head of ED?| Comics Kingdom](https://comicskingdom.com/trending/blog/2014/03/05/what-is-on-the-head-of-ed)** > > I've had a few inquiries to what exactly is on the head of ED-N-SON LIGHT BULBS owner, ED.  So, to answer the question...the head gear is.....a cowboy ---
**Author:** ![Dinsdale](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/97f17d/32.png) [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2025, 10:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/comic-strip-question-tinkersons/1020247/6 "2025-06-30T10:58:09Z")
Thanks for the answer. Boy - he sure DOES stink at drawing cowboy hats! I’m pretty sure the strip only appears in my paper on Sundays. It is not one of my faves, and I don’t think that character appears all the time, so I only see that once in a while. Even tho cowboy hat seemed one of the most likely options, didn’t understand why he would wear one inside at a business. Seems funny that he says every character is “designed with a purpose.” In the strip shown above, 4 of the characters have white shirts and ties, with 2 - apparently FBI agents - wearing blazers. Not sure what subtle design is shown there. Maybe the striped tie vs solid blue? Looking at that comic more closely, I just realized that the pointy protuberances on some characters’ faces are lips and not noses. Like I said, not my favorite strip.