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A combat helmet or battle helmet is a type of personal armor designed specifically to protect the head during combat. From thousands of years ago, when men were still fighting with bronze weapons, the armored helmet was one of the most important items of war. From before Romans ruled Europe, before the Greeks sailed the seas. |
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Helmets are among the oldest forms of personal protective equipment and are known to have been worn by the Akkadians/Sumerians in the 23rd century BCE, Mycenaean Greeks since the 17th century BCE, the Assyrians around 900 BCE, ancient Greeks and Romans, throughout the Middle Ages, and up to the end of the 17th century by many combatants. |
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Their materials and construction became more advanced as weapons became more and more powerful. |
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Initially constructed from leather and brass, and then bronze and iron during the Bronze and Iron Ages, they soon came to be made entirely from forged steel in many societies after about 950 CE. |
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At that time, they were purely military equipment, protecting the head from cutting blows with swords, flying arrows, and low-velocity musketry. |
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Military use of helmets declined after 1670, and rifled firearms ended their use by foot soldiers after 1700 but the Napoleonic era saw ornate cavalry helmets reintroduced for cuirassiers and dragoons in some armies which continued to be used by French forces during World War I as late as 1915.
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The helmets were usually cushioned from the inside with cloth to prevent movement of the helmet as well as further protection for the head. In fact, researchers today believe that cushioning with cloth prevented up to 25% more head injuries and concussions than just these helmets alone. |
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Of course, we still use helmets. But today's militaries often use high-quality helmets made of ballistic materials such as Kevlar and Aramid, which offer improved protection, but are somehow lacking in style when compare to these works of art. |
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