Football Helmet Timeline

  • First leather football helmet

    First leather football helmet

    A "head harness" made of soft leather straps that covered the ears with no face mask, created by James Naismith. First used by the YMCA team from Latrobe, Pennsylvania.
  • Improved leather helmet  (second helmet)

    Improved leather helmet (second helmet)

    Invented by James Naismith, the helmet is a soft leather flat-top style. Typical of early pro team Canton Bulldogs, YMCA team from Latrobe, Pennsylvania.
  • Third leather football helmet

    Third leather football helmet

    Soft leather helmet created by Bob Zuppke, was made with increased padding on the exterior of the helmet. Used by the NFL's Duluth Eskimos.
  • Fourth leather football helmet

    Fourth leather football helmet

    Hard leather style with increased padding and protection. Typically used by the Chicago Bears. Created by John T. Ridell
  • Fifth leather football helmet

    Fifth leather football helmet

    Hard leather, first graphics used on helmets, and used by the Los Angeles Rams. Created by Fred Gehkre.
  • First shell helmet

    First shell helmet

    First plastic helmet with increased protection on the exterior and interior with the introduction of the face mask. Created by John Tate Ridell.
  • Riddell football helmet

    Riddell football helmet

    Used in the 1970's to 1980's, the helmet had increased protection and top of the line material for its time, keeping close to the original design of the first shell helmet. Created by John Ridell.
  • Schutt football helmet

    Schutt football helmet

    Schutt football helmet with increased padding and a smaller shell design. Created by Bill schutt.
  • Riddell speed revolution

    Riddell speed revolution

    Top of the line protection and padding with new complex designs created by John Riddell
  • Riddell Axiom

    Riddell Axiom

    A modern football helmet designed for enhanced protection and a personalized fit, featuring an "Expanded Flex System" for shock absorption, advanced impact-sensing technology