diff --git a/src/gmio_stl/stlb_header.c b/src/gmio_stl/stlb_header.c
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..9ade45c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/gmio_stl/stlb_header.c
@@ -0,0 +1,26 @@
+/****************************************************************************
+** gmio
+** Copyright Fougue (2 Mar. 2015)
+** contact@fougue.pro
+**
+** This software is a reusable library whose purpose is to provide complete
+** I/O support for various CAD file formats (eg. STL)
+**
+** This software is governed by the CeCILL-B license under French law and
+** abiding by the rules of distribution of free software.  You can  use,
+** modify and/ or redistribute the software under the terms of the CeCILL-B
+** license as circulated by CEA, CNRS and INRIA at the following URL
+** "http://www.cecill.info/licences/Licence_CeCILL-B_V1-en.html".
+****************************************************************************/
+
+#include "stlb_header.h"
+
+#include <string.h>
+
+struct gmio_stlb_header gmio_stlb_header_str(const char* str)
+{
+    struct gmio_stlb_header header = {0};
+    if (str != NULL)
+        strncpy((char*)header.data, str, GMIO_STLB_HEADER_SIZE);
+    return header;
+}
diff --git a/src/gmio_stl/stlb_header.h b/src/gmio_stl/stlb_header.h
index 64b7ff3..b1b68fe 100644
--- a/src/gmio_stl/stlb_header.h
+++ b/src/gmio_stl/stlb_header.h
@@ -32,5 +32,19 @@ struct gmio_stlb_header
     uint8_t data[GMIO_STLB_HEADER_SIZE];
 };
 
+GMIO_C_LINKAGE_BEGIN
+
+/*! Returns a gmio_stlb_header object whose contents is a copy of \p str
+ *
+ *  Only the first \c GMIO_STLB_HEADER_SIZE characters are copied.
+ *
+ *  If the length of \p str is less than \c GMIO_STLB_HEADER_SIZE then the
+ *  remaining bytes are filled with zeroes.
+ */
+GMIO_LIBSTL_EXPORT
+struct gmio_stlb_header gmio_stlb_header_str(const char* str);
+
+GMIO_C_LINKAGE_END
+
 #endif /* GMIO_STLB_HEADER_H */
 /*! @} */