Football Helmets!!!

First Leather Football Helmet

Mar 1, 1893

The leather football helmet was created more than 100 years ago. First used in 1893's Army Navy game. An Annapolis shoemaker created the first helmet for Admiral Joseph Mason Reeves, who had been toldby a doctor that he would be risking death or instant insanity if he took another hit to the head.

1920s Soft leather style

Mar 1, 1920

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap1000000095139/article/history-of-the-nfl-football-helmet

Hard leather style

Mar 5, 1930

John T Riddle company developed and patented the first plastic helmet.

Hard leather, first graphics

Mar 5, 1940

The first chin strap was invented. NFL players were required to wear a helmet. Plastic helmets were officialy adopted by the NFL.

Plastic helmets and internal padding

Mar 5, 1950

Single face bar was added to plastic helmet. The first appearance of the radio helmet, introduced by the Clevland Browns.

Platic helmets and face mask

Mar 5, 1960

Double face mask and they were worn by every player in the NFL.

Energy absorbing helmets

Mar 5, 1970

Riddell add air bladders inside helmets to soften impact. The full face mask appears.

Molded polycarbonate shells

Mar 5, 1980

First appearance of protect visors. First polycarbonate helmets.

Polycarbonate helmet with face mask grill

Mar 5, 1990

NFL requires face mask to be transparent.

Riddell develops the revolution helmet design ed to reduce concussions

Mar 5, 2000

Single bar helmets are formally banned from the NFL.

Present day helmets

Mar 5, 2013

Impact indicator chin strap launches, designed to identify head injuiry. Shock absorbant pads on the inside, and hard plastic on the inside.