Scientific American, 1877 "Traugott Beck has invented a life preserver, the top part of which consists of a floating buoy in which the wearer has freedom to move his head and arms about. The cover can be closed when high seas are running, adequate visibility then being provided by a window, while the occupant can breathe through a curved pipe. The preserver is fashioned of waterproof sailcloth secured to circular metal tubes, while the watertight trousers and gumboots with metal bands provide protection against injury from rocks and voracious fish."