Compléter Paja Toquilla HatsVersion en ligne Complete the information about The History of Paja Toquilla Hats par Evelin Mariño 1 Cultural England Manabi States United 2017 Heritage world Panama hats 1985 Canal Roosevelt It is said that back in 1835 , people in Montecristi , sent boxes of hats to Manta and Guayaquil to be exported to . The time coincided with the California Gold Rush ( 1848 - 1855 ) , which made the hat famous because of the abundant sun on the west coast of the . They became so popular in the ports of Panama that the name was quickly linked to that location . During the construction of the Panama , Theodore , who was the president of United States at that time , wore those kinds of and contributed to their increasing popularity . Many workers also wore them . They became really valued around the . Edward VII of ordered a hat for himself and paid a lot of money for it . In , the hat was selected as one of the 100 best designs ever by the Conrad Foundation in England . Also , in , the UNESCO declared paja toquilla hats as part of the list of Intangible of Humanity .