Helmet is a French derivative of the
word ‘helm’ from 15th century. Although helmets are available in
countless designs for different utilities, they all serve just one
purpose, which is head protection. The earlier helmets used to be
manufactured in leather till the 10th century AD when metals with
inner cloth lining for cushioning and comfort of wearing on the head
became the norm. Helmet wearing is mandatory in northern America,
barring a few states, for all bikers, whereas Sikhs are demanding a
waiver from this mandate.
Functional Utility and Symbolism
Till the early 20th century, helmets
were basically the protective head gears of soldiers and used to be a
part of combat uniform. With industrialization, helmets reinvented
themselves and undergone a lot of changes, both in terms of strengths
and weights and became a ‘must wear’ for certain industrial
workers in sectors such as mining, construction and manufacturing
etc. Surely, the popularity of helmets shot-up, thanks to the
symbolic protection they offered.
Typical Classification
Helmets can be classified based on
their utility and construction. The simplest for of helmets worn by
construction workers and bicycle riders are nothing more than ‘hard
hats’ as they are required to protect blunt impacts, whereas a
soldier’s helmets are designed for ballistic impact protection.
These are made by Kevlar©, which has excellent bullet proofing
qualities and fragmentation powers.
Helmets match particular needs also.
Military helmets identify the ranks of the wearers with symbolic
visors and bars therein, whereas ‘hard hats’ of bicycle riders
sport large ventilation slots.
Quality Standards
Bikers and parents of small children
are in dilemma concerning the sudden fall in children’s helmet
prices. One must keep in mind that price is not a good quality
indicator. In the US, the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC)
requires all helmets be certified. The certification is issued after
stringent quality tests are carried out. There is another quality
standard for helmets, too. Snell Memorial Foundation standards or
‘Snells’ as they are known are a bit extra stringent, albeit not
compulsory by all types of helmet manufacturers to conform to. This
fact should try to put at rest the apprehensions of consumers when
they don’t see Snells’ label on helmets.
It is hard to think of a modern and
adventurous sport without helmets being mandatory. Although helmets
aren’t absolutely safe, you can’t think of cross country biking
without them, especially if the riders are your little ones, helmets
are a must!
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