Timeline: Football Helmets

Aug 14, 1925

Football Helmets were created

The first type of Helmets were the Soft Leather style

Jun 20, 1939

Hard Leather style

The soft leather style helmet was updated and made into the hard leather style. This was still not very good protection.

May 13, 1940

Invention of the first Chin strap

The first ever chin strap was added to the Hard Leather Style helmet

Mar 24, 1955

First Plastic Helmets with Single Face Bar

In 1955 the NFL came out with its first Plastic helmets. These helmets were not only made out of plastic they had the first single face bar and internal padding.

Dec 24, 1962

Double Bar Facemasks

The NFL upgraded its face-mask to a double bar instead of the one single bar to protect players eyes and other facial objects.

Jul 9, 1972

Better Padding and Full Facemasks

In 1972 Riddell decided to add better padding know as air bladders so that the helmet could take more of an impact. The NFL also adopted the full face-mask to protect the players entire face.

Jun 19, 1984

First Appearance of Protective Visors

The NFL adopted even more face protection in Visors to make sure that players eyes were protected.

Apr 6, 1998

Polycarbonate Helmets And Transparent Masks

The NFL started making Polycarbonated helmets and also required for all face-masks to be transparent.

Feb 15, 2004

Development of Revolution Helmets to reduce Concussions

Riddell decided to come out with the revolution helmet to prevent concussions in the NFL. Also single face-bar helmets were officially banned from the NFL.