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The Beginning of the NFL Helmets (the 1920s)
During the 1920s, the first NFL helmet was released. This helmet was made of soft leather and it was probably the most protective helmet they could make back then because they weren't as advanced as we are now. They added strap harnesses and padding to make sure the helmet will be more protective. -
The Helmets Becoming Harder (The 1930s)
These helmets were shifted from soft leather helmets to hard leather helmets. This makes the head of a football player a bit more protected. So, the helmet became harder. During the 1930s, later, the face mask was added, but they didn't install it on the NFL helmets yet. During this time, they also invented the plastic helmet, but were probably still working on it. So for that time, it was just hard leather helmets. -
Same Material, But New Features (The 1940s)
In 1943, every NFL player was required to wear a helmet. This helmet was again made of hard leather, but it had graphics on it. What I mean is that the helmet had the logos. The chin strap was invented, but not used yet. The plastic helmets were then adopted later in the late 1940s. These helmets were open-faced which caused many injuries. -
Introducing the Plastic Helmet and the Internal Padding (The 1950s)
During the 1950s, the plastic helmets were finally introduced and used. Along, with that new material, it basically looks like the NFL was starting to build a face mask. For the 1950s though. they just added a single face bar probably because the helmets were open-faced before. This is a great benefit. Then, there was the first appearance of the radio helmet where people can communicate with the players. This time period has great additions. -
The Continuation of the Plastic Helmets and Double Bar Face Masks (The 1960s).
These helmets were made of plastic also. These had double bar face masks so this will make the player more secure. The facemasks had to be worn by every player in the NFL. -
The Energy Absorbing Helmet (The 1970s)
In the 1970s, the NFL helmet made its appearance with the full face mask. Now, with this face mask, the faces will be more protected. Air bladders inside helmets were also introduced during this time period. The job of the air bladders is to soften the impact of a massive hit when colliding with another player and to absorb the energy while getting hit. -
Helmets becoming Stronger (The 1980s)
During the 1980s, there were protective visors introduced to a player's helmet. These visors are a movable part of a helmet that can be pulled down to cover the player's face. It's also a screen (surface) that covers the eyes from the sun or anything else. The first polycarbonate helmet also got introduced. Basically this type of helmet will make the shell stronger by molding and putting foam in. -
Helmets on the Rise (The 1990s)
In the 1990s, the face mask grill was released. This prevented hands going inside the helmet and this caused more protection in football. The polycarbonate helmet style continued throughout this time also. Astonishingly, the NFL required the face masks to be transparent in the year of 1998. -
A New Century (The 2000s)
In the 2000s, it was a new century. It was time to make the helmets more advanced and better. So, the NFL created a revolution helmet. The purpose of this helmet is to reduce the amount of concussions players get. -
THE CURRENT ERA (PRESENT)
In 2011, a chin strap that can indentify head injury and impact released.The VICIS Zero1 helmet design also got released which protects the brain. There are layers to make the speed of impact forces be slower. There is a soft shell outside and this helmet expands the view of the field. This helmet absorbs the impact of a hit and there are titanium studs to improve the fit and comfort of the helmet. This helmet also has a lot of sizing options and can withstand hits with cushioning the impact.
