Zero Halliburton



Zero Halliburton, stylized as ZERO Halliburton, is a manufacturer of hard-wearing travel cases and briefcases, mainly of aluminium. Founded in 1938, the company was sold in 2006 to ACE Co., a Japanese luggage manufacturer.

Erle P. Halliburton, the American founder of Halliburton, had commissioned the aluminium case in 1938 from aircraft engineers because other luggage could not endure the rough travel through Texas oil fields. In addition to being more durable than a leather or cloth case due to its rigidity, the aluminium case seals tightly against dust and water.

Famously, the nuclear football, the briefcase which the President of the United States can use to order a nuclear strike, is a modified Zero Halliburton case, although enclosed in a black leather 'jacket' to make it appear less militaristic in diplomatic situations.

The aluminium cases have appeared in more than 200 Hollywood movies and television shows, often as a MacGuffin. In addition to aluminium, Zero Halliburton cases have been available in carbon fiber, polycarbonate, polypropylene, and Texalium (an aluminium-coated fiberglass).

On December 29, 2006, Zero Corporation sold its consumer division to ACE Co., Ltd., of Osaka and Tokyo, of which it is now a wholly owned subsidiary.