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First Football Helmet
It was first worn on the 1893 Army- NAVY game. It was created by a shoemaker for Admiral Joseph Mason Reeves needed it because if got kicked in the head one more time he would be risking death.http://www.pasttimesports.biz/history.html -
First Leather Helmet
The players used leather circa helmets. They were soft but had very little padding and offered very little protection. It was created to protect the players from the "cauliflower ear".http://www.extremeteamsports.com/Football-Pop Warner/HistoryOfFootballHelmets.htm -
Leather Helmet of the 1920's
The leather helmet has been improved. It now has more padding and a strap to hold it on the players head. Also the addition of the strap and extra padding reduced the impact energy.http://www.extremeteamsports.com/Football-Pop%20Warner/HistoryOfFootballHelmets.htm -
Spalding and Rawlings first Helmets
Their helmets had criss-crossed fabric straps. They also, put a ventilation and suspension system. Plus the inserts which all helped soften the hits. http://www.inventhelp.com/Football_Inventions.asp -
Harder Helmet
In the early 1930's the leather helmet was improved again. Now the outer shell of the helmet is harder and more impact resistant.http://www.extremeteamsports.com/Football-Pop%20Warner/HistoryOfFootballHelmets.htm -
Facemasks
In the late 1930's they finally added facemasks to the helmets. But they were still leather helmets but with bars going across their faces.http://www.extremeteamsports.com/Football-Pop%20Warner/HistoryOfFootballHelmets.htm -
First Plastic Helmet
Some employees from Ridell knew that the helmets needed to be harder. So they created the first plastic helmet. It was stronger and more durable then leather it won't rot like a leather helmet. It also had a web suspension. http://www.inventhelp.com/Football_Inventions.asp -
First Plastic Facemask
Ridell also, created a year after their plastic hemet a plastic facemask which as just one or two plastic bars going across the bottom of the helmet. http://www.inventhelp.com/Football_Inventions.asp -
Helmets Today
Helmets today are really advanced compared to the helmets back then. They have a lot more padding than they did before you can put air into them for more padding or so they fit properly. The facemask has more than just two bars. The helmets are way safer than back then when the players wore leather helmets or none at all.
