Read the full article “Exhibition services team builds custom storage hanger for ‘Men of Honor’ dive suit from Robert De Niro’s collection.”

The Robert De Niro collection, which was donated to the Ransom Center in 2006, includes the costume that was worn by Cuba Gooding, Jr. in the movie “Men of Honor” (2000).  Photo by Pete Smith.        

After taking measurements of the suit, the acrylic sheet panels and polyethylene foam pieces are cut to size using a pattern fashioned from blue board.  Photo by Wyndell Faulk.

Polyethylene foam is archival, lightweight and flexible, which makes it the perfect product to use for this project. Adding it to the outside of the hanger protects the suit and is support padding for the shoulders. Photo by Wyndell Faulk.

The hanger measures over thirty inches in length and is designed to be unobtrusive so the viewer’s focus remains on the suit itself during exhibitions. Photo by Wyndell Faulk.

The suit is so heavy that it must be placed horizontally in order to get the hanger inside. Photo by Sonja Reid.

The construction of the hanger allows the center section to be removed and adjusted in order to fit the hanger inside the suit with ease and create a proper fit. Photo by Sonja Reid.

A special wall-mounted bracket is used to support the weight of the suit plus all its accoutrement, such as the weight belt when used in exhibitions. Photo by Wyndell Faulk.

Once hanging, the suit doesn’t touch the walls or the floor, which helps preserve the material.  Photo by Wyndell Faulk.