<human>: I'm trying to find out about the history of the cowboy hat.
<bot>: The cowboy hat is a traditional headwear worn by American cowboys since the 19th century. It was originally designed as an easy-to-use, comfortable and protective headgear for working in the open range environment. In its earliest form, it consisted of a wide brimmed felt or leather hat with a small crown that could be pulled down over the eyes when needed. As the cowboy lifestyle evolved, so did the cowboy hat, eventually becoming a symbol of the western frontier. Today, cowboy hats are still worn on special occasions such as rodeos and parades.