Wis. lawmakers to honor man behind cheesehead hat



MADISON, (AP) -- Wisconsin lawmakers are getting ready to honor the man who used cheese to create one of the state's most beloved cultural symbols.

The state Assembly will vote Tuesday on a joint resolution to honor entrepreneur Ralph Bruno. He created the famous foam cheesehead hat that has become an enduring symbol of the state.

Bruno made the first hat in 1987 using stuffing from his couch, after Chicago Bears fans taunted him and called him a cheesehead. The resolution would also honor Bruno's employees at Foamation Inc. in Milwaukee, where the hats are made.

Cheesehead hats are sold today in all 50 states and in more than 30 countries.