John Cavanagh began in the hat industry by working for Crofut & Knapp, where he rose to President. Cavanagh then left the company to establish his own millinery, Cavanagh-Dobbs, Inc., beginning with a retail shop in New York City. In 1932, he formed the Hat Corporation of America and became a leading name in hat-making. Cavanagh had many contributions to the industry, including the Cavanagh Edge. Cavanagh was awarded the Neiman Marcus Fashion Award in 1939 for his influence in and services to hat manufacturing in the USA.