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