Evolution of football helmets by Marcus Cerminaro

By Marcus Cerminaro
  • First plastic helmet

    First plastic helmet

    The John T. Riddell company developed and patented the first plastic helmet
  • First chin strap

    First chin strap

    Invention of the first chin strap
  • Single face bar

    Single face bar

    The single face bar was added to plastic helmets
  • The radio helmet

    The radio helmet

    First appearance of the radio helmet, introduced by the Cleveland Browns
  • Air bladders

    Air bladders

    Riddell adds air bladders inside helmets to soften impact
  • Face mask

    Face mask

    Full face mask appears
  • Protective visors

    Protective visors

    First appearance of protective visors
  • Polycarbonate helmet

    Polycarbonate helmet

    First polycarbonate helmet
  • No single bar

    No single bar

    Single bar helmets formally banned by the NFL
  • Impact indicator

    Impact indicator

    Impact indicator chin strap launches, designed to identify head injury