| Even during the ancient times, man already knew | | | | As the weaponry of the ages improved, so did |
| the importance of protecting one's head with | | | | the armor used to protect against them. Armor |
| helmets. He could afford damage to any part of | | | | during this period tended to be heavy and |
| his body. But if he was to receive a blow to the | | | | cumbersome. Some armor made moving around |
| head, that could prove to be fatal. Helmets, | | | | a tremendous task. In fact, the knight's medieval |
| therefore, were developed to keep their heads | | | | armor was so thick that the person inside the |
| from any sharp blows and damage. | | | | armor was at risk from fainting due to heat. |
| During those days, warlike tribes roamed the | | | | The helmets of those days were sturdy and |
| earth looking for territory to occupy. Fierce | | | | heavy. The faces of their users were complete |
| battles were not uncommon. And these early | | | | hidden by a movable visor. Because their faces |
| armies quickly learned that those who came to | | | | were hidden it became custom for knights to |
| battle fully prepared usually walked away from | | | | carry identifying marks on their shields and |
| them in one piece. | | | | banners. This led to the development of heraldry. |
| To earn a decided advantage in these conflicts, | | | | The Persians used a type of helmet that had a |
| they decided to develop weapons to increase the | | | | camail, or curtail-like attachment that protected |
| damage they dealt, and armor to decrease the | | | | the sides of the face and the neck. |
| damage they received. | | | | With the advent of guns in the battlefield, plate |
| These people learned that the head was most | | | | armor became obsolete. The only part of the |
| vulnerable to sharp swings of bladed weapons, | | | | armor to survive this revolution was the cuirass |
| punctures from arrows, and the dull thwack of | | | | (breastplate) and helmet. |
| blunt instruments. To protect against such, these | | | | As guns replaced swords, men started to rely on |
| people used rudimentary helmets. | | | | foxholes and sandbags to protect them against |
| The Sumerians, a warlike tribe that thrived in | | | | bullets. Personal armor lost favor in standing |
| 3000 B.C., where the first to use helmets to war. | | | | armies. However, helmets were still needed to |
| Their tight-fitting helmets were made of beaten | | | | protect the soldier from shrapnel and ricochet. |
| copper to protect against sudden blow to the | | | | These helmets were now made of steel to |
| head. | | | | provide better protection and mobility. |
| The Assyrians, on the other hand, had helmets | | | | Nowadays, helmets are still used as standard |
| that were cone-shaped. These helmets also had | | | | battle gear. They are may be made out of steel |
| small earflap to protect against undue damage to | | | | or other material that protects against |
| the soft ear tissue. | | | | high-velocity projectiles and shrapnel. |
| The ancient Greeks went a step further by | | | | The most practical use of helmets today is in |
| developing bronze helmets that covered the | | | | construction work and other industries that |
| entire head. These helmets would only have a | | | | employ the use of a hard hat. These hats are |
| Y-shaped slit to allow the soldier to see and to | | | | made of tough plastic that protects construction |
| breathe. The Romans used a looser helmet that | | | | workers and miners from debris. |
| was made of either bronze or iron and had | | | | Also, skateboard, bicycle and motorcycle riders |
| movable cheek pieces. | | | | turn to helmets to protect them against crashes. |