Founded in Cleator, Cumbria in 1938 by Jakob Spreiregen, Kangol (the K from silK or Knitting or Knitted, the ANG from angora, the OL from wool) produced hats for workers, golfers, and especially soldiers - they were the major beret suppliers to the armed forces during WWII with the 504 Kangol hat shape. They gained wider attention following their adoption by members of the hip-hop community in the 1980s, such as Run-DMC and LL Cool J and the release of more consciously stylish products in the 1990s such as the furgora (angora-wool mix) Spitfire, helped by its presence upon the head of Samuel L. Jackson in 1997.