Post by Coach Campbell on Aug 19, 2011 10:55:36 GMT
Overview
In the early 20th century, football was such a rough sport, the public wanted it banned. But some rules of the game changed and gear became safer, and the sport survived. As a historical footnote, even though safety equipment decreased risk of injury, it took time for it to become mandatory. For instance, helmets were only first required for college football players in 1939 and for professionals in 1943.
Helmets
At the start of the 20th century, leather football helmets shielded players' ears and heads but didn't protect their skulls during impact, according to AmericanHeritage.com. Following World War I, helmets were lined with a spongy rubber for added protection, and 20 years later felt lining was introduced. Plastic helmets came on the scene by the 1940s. PastTImeSports.biz reports most helmets were plain looking until the 1940s when some high school and college players began to hand paint theirs. In 1948, the Rams professional team had horns painted on their helmets, and other teams followed suit.
Faceguards
In 1935, Schutt Sports created the first football faceguard to protect players' exposed faces. Early on, faceguards were separate pieces from the helmets, but over the years they became integrated and more shock absorbent. In 1962, Schutt began lobbying to make faceguards mandatory, and that effort paid off when the equipment became required in 1970.
Shoulder Pads
The first football uniform appeared in 1877, according to FootballEncyclopedia.com. It included a jersey, knee pants, stockings and a canvas jacket that fit tightly so opponents couldn't grab it. For the next several decades, uniforms didn't feature any protection except a little cloth padding added at the shoulders. By the end of the 19th century, leather shoulder pads made their appearance. The 20th century saw the development of foam padding first covered with leather and later with plastic. The foam originally retained heat, but lighter, cooler versions have been introduced.
Read more: www.livestrong.com/arti...ll-gear/#ixzz1VUyOXXLI
In the early 20th century, football was such a rough sport, the public wanted it banned. But some rules of the game changed and gear became safer, and the sport survived. As a historical footnote, even though safety equipment decreased risk of injury, it took time for it to become mandatory. For instance, helmets were only first required for college football players in 1939 and for professionals in 1943.
Helmets
At the start of the 20th century, leather football helmets shielded players' ears and heads but didn't protect their skulls during impact, according to AmericanHeritage.com. Following World War I, helmets were lined with a spongy rubber for added protection, and 20 years later felt lining was introduced. Plastic helmets came on the scene by the 1940s. PastTImeSports.biz reports most helmets were plain looking until the 1940s when some high school and college players began to hand paint theirs. In 1948, the Rams professional team had horns painted on their helmets, and other teams followed suit.
Faceguards
In 1935, Schutt Sports created the first football faceguard to protect players' exposed faces. Early on, faceguards were separate pieces from the helmets, but over the years they became integrated and more shock absorbent. In 1962, Schutt began lobbying to make faceguards mandatory, and that effort paid off when the equipment became required in 1970.
Shoulder Pads
The first football uniform appeared in 1877, according to FootballEncyclopedia.com. It included a jersey, knee pants, stockings and a canvas jacket that fit tightly so opponents couldn't grab it. For the next several decades, uniforms didn't feature any protection except a little cloth padding added at the shoulders. By the end of the 19th century, leather shoulder pads made their appearance. The 20th century saw the development of foam padding first covered with leather and later with plastic. The foam originally retained heat, but lighter, cooler versions have been introduced.
Read more: www.livestrong.com/arti...ll-gear/#ixzz1VUyOXXLI