Football History

---

The Football Archaeology of the Football Men Who Endorsed and helped Goldsmith Sporting Goods to make football equipment in 1935.

Helmets are probably the first piece of equipment we think of when someone asks us about football. The head covering may be the most recognizable element of the gridiron.

Timothy Brown, like many of us, is enamored by the evolution of the football helmet as a product and safety device. Tim collects football catalogs selling the equipment and then dives into the variations and innovations that were derived along the way.

In a recent post, 1935 GoldSmith Sports Equipment Consulting Staff, Tim delved into the 1935 Coaching Consultants and reps that GoldSmith had and then came on to share what he found with us on a podcast episode.

-Transcription of 1935 GoldSmith Sports Equipment Consulting Staff with Timothy Brown

Hello, my football friends, this is Darin Hayes of PigskinDispatch.com. Welcome once again to The Pig Pen, your portal to positive football history, and welcome to another Tuesday as we get to visit with our friend Timothy P. Brown of FootballArcheology.com. Tim, welcome back to The Pig Pen.

Thank you, sir. Look forward to chatting again, as always, and hopefully we'll have something interesting for people to listen to.

Yeah, you, Tim, you have some amazing things happening, you know, each and every day, and every once in a while you get some of these zingers that like, just like, I can't call it an earworm, I don't know what it is, it just, it stays with me all day when I read it. I read it in the evening and it stays with me through the night. I'm laying in bed thinking about it, wake up next morning, and one of those is, you keep going into the Goldsmith's catalog, and you had one that, you know, that you had back in September out as a tidbit that talks about some staff that Goldsmith's catalog got some information from, so maybe you could talk a little bit about that tonight.

Yeah, so, you know, so I guess, you know, first off, just, you know, by way of background, I have something on the order, you know, 30 or 40 vintage sporting goods catalogs, you know, so I collect them over time, or I've collected them over time, it's just a way to be able to look up, okay, well, you know, some of it's just images, you know, for the tidbits, but it's also just, you know, you can look at them and understand, okay, this is what this equipment was made of at the time, and how things changed and things that they created that disappeared because they didn't really work very well, or they were uncomfortable, you know, whatever it may have been. Anyways, I collect these catalogs, and most of them, I'm just, you know, I'm buying them online, and so I don't, typically, I'm only seeing like cover photographs, a couple of inside pages, but I don't know what, you know, it's not like, you know, it can be a 90 page catalog, but I'm only seeing images of a couple of them. Anyways, this was one of those, you know, I bought this, Goldsmith was a big brand at the time, and I didn't have a lot of Goldsmith catalogs, so I, you know, picked this one up.
And, you know, then once it was delivered, it was like, right away, okay, this is really cool, because in addition to just normal pages, showing the equipment, the pricing and everything for shoulder pads and helmets and whatever, each of the different major types of equipment, they had a lead in cartoon page that kind of told the history of that type of equipment, the history of football shoes, the history of helmets. And so, it was, number one, it's just kind of fun imagery, they're interesting cartoons. So, it was just a way to, you know, kind of go through those, and then, you know, what I've done, you know, it's a series of, there will be an eighth week now, but, you know, so it's just a way to publish, to do these, show these cartoons, and then just go through the equipment of the time.

And so, this is mid-30s, you know, so what was equipment like, you know, then. And so, this, the first of those cartoons was about what they called their consulting staff. And so, that was, you know, essentially, consulting staff was like, the coaches, and one trainer, who were their, like, their advisory staff, they were the guys who they would go to, to talk through, you know, what kinds of changes do we need for the equipment, or if they had a research and development group, they would show them, they'd show these coaches, hey, here's what we've come up with, what do you think about this? Can you have you guys wear this stuff in spring practice, or in regular practice, and see how it performs? You know, so they were, you know, obviously, these coaches were paid.

And in many cases, they, that, you know, the manufacturers would then, you know, just like your old baseball gloves, where it was like, the Mickey Mantle glove, or whatever, you know, there were, there were pants, and helmets, and footballs, that had the Newt Rockne name on it, or who met Pop Warner, and John Heisman, and, you know, so. Well, Tim, was, was Goldsmith, were they sort of in the Midwest? Is that what I'm getting a sense of? Or what part of the country were they centered out of? You know, a lot of the coaches that are on this advisory staff are Midwest guys. So, I kind of get a sense of that.

But, you know, there was a lot of Midwest, like D&M was out east, they were like a Massachusetts firm, but Spalding was Midwest, Reach, I believe, was Midwest, or a couple down in St. Louis. So, yeah, I don't have that catalog in front of me. But I could, you know, I could look, look it up.

And I can, you know, let you know, you know, kind of where they were based. Yeah, that's, that's what I was, Is there a reason you ask her? Well, I know that Spalding was out of Chicago, and it just seemed, you know, and it seems like, like you said, this, a lot of these coaches are Midwestern teams, Western Conference, Big Ten teams. And I just wondering, you know, if there was a reason why maybe, you know, distribution or something that they were in the center of the country because you really, you think about that area, you know, football starting in the east and moving west, you'd almost think the equipment would be more of an eastern-based, you know, industrial shipping out.

But just curious. Yeah, I think, well, my understanding is a lot of it was the stockyards in Chicago, you know, so there was access to leather. Okay, you know, so I mean, so much of the early equipment, yeah, so much of the early equipment was leather, that, you know, it made more sense to be where you could pick and choose and get high-grade leathers and yada, yada, yada.

So, yeah, I mean, it's funny, it's one of those things you wouldn't even think is, you know, there's no reason anymore, you know, to be near a source of leather.
Obviously, you know, baseball gloves are a different story. But otherwise, you know, most football equipment, there's no leather involved anymore.

And then the ball, you know, obviously, the balls were leather. So anyways, yeah, that's, that's why I love it, you know, started in the Midwest. That makes perfect sense.

Okay, thanks. Yeah, so, so then, you know, like these coaches were, you know, the folks that they had on at that point, so in 1935, they had a Hunk Anderson, who was at North Carolina State, but it just finished a tour at Notre Dame. So Midwest, then he had played at Notre Dame.

Noble Kizer was at Purdue. Fritz Crisler was at Princeton, but he had been at, he had played at Uof Chicago. He had coached Minnesota before going to Princeton.

And then obviously ended up at Michigan. Doc Spears had been all over. Well, he kind of he was a journeyman, he was actually a doctor, but a football coach, but he was at Wisconsin at the time.

And I can't remember if he had just gone there. I think he got fired after that, and then went out to Oregon, or it could have been the other way around. And then this guy, Frank Major Wandel, from Yale, who was, he was one of those interesting guys at the time, there were a lot of, it's kind of like, you know, there are these strength and conditioning coaches now who are, you know, kind of, they have their own brand, they're, they're nationally known, nationally recognized guys.

And, you know, back then, there were trainers like that, too. And he was one of them. So he'd been longtime trainer at West Point, and he ends up down at, I think it was LSU for a couple of years.

Then he ends up at Yale, which is where he was at at the time. So, so actually, the mix isn't that much Midwestern. But it's interesting, because the image that you have, and folks, if you've got to enjoy these images that Tim's talking about, we have link in the show notes, you can go to Tim's page and see some of these, he's talking about these cartoons.

But Major Wandel, you know, everybody else is sort of wearing like white knickers. And he's got like, I don't know if they're plaid knickers, or, but that's what jumps out of you on the page to me, is these knickers. And it's he's in the lower right hand corner of the page I'm looking at, but he must have been a character to have some like looks like he's golfing, maybe.

Yeah, I mean, he's one of those guys who just like came out of some gym in New Jersey, and ended up eventually hooking in with, he did some training, you know, during World War One, and then ends up at West Point for quite a while. But yeah, I mean, back then, trainers were function both. They handled both the kind of sports medicine side, you know, they weren't physicians.

But when we think about athletic training, we're thinking about, you know, hot baths, and cold baths, and, you know, taping guys, and, you know, some kind of contraption, you know, so it doesn't hurt, as well as strength and condition. So they were both at the time, and mostly conditioning, they didn't do as much strength work. But yeah, a lot of these guys were, you know, they're big on the whole, getting guys to roll on the ground to toughen them up.

Things that we now think are pretty absurd, but, you know, that was kind of core beliefs at the time. Yeah, I can remember back when I was playing when I was, like, I think the first year I played, maybe I was in fifth grade or something. I remember our coach, he was old school.

He was an older guy. And you'd have part of your calisthenics, you'd run in place, and then drop and make sure your stomach hits first, because that's going to toughen your gut up, you know, as everybody gets the wind knocked out of when you hit the ground, and you're gasping trying to get back up. But I picture that kind of training.

Yeah, that was the deal. But one of the things I thought was kind of cool, I can't remember, you know, which eater left this as a comment or a question, but, you know, I'm a Purdue fan. And, you know, there were a lot of schools back in the 30s that wore winged helmets, right? I mean, we now associated with just a select few schools.

But back then, it was very common. Nevertheless, you know, this guy made a comment that you know, back in the 30s, mid-30s, in particular, Purdue wore winged helmets, you know, so wing in front straps, you know, going back, kind of, you know, the Michigan, Delaware, Princeton style now. But she's like, so that's where you know because Noble was one of these advisory coaches.

And so I would bet if you look at images of the Purdue team from that era, there probably weren't some, some form of Goldsmith helmet, right? So as opposed to some competitive brand. So anyways, but for him, it was kind of a neat insight because it's like, so that's why they were those, those stupid. Now, with these coaches, sort of being on the board of directors, or the consultants of the now the day, is that, you know, their teams buy all their equipment from a Goldsmith, then is that was that's part of the deal of, you know, I've never really seen anything that goes into the details of those kinds of contracts.

I mean, I've read a few things about Knute Rockne because he was like, I mean if you think that there's somebody that, that is on every commercial nowadays, like, you know, save been, you know, down in Alabama's on a fair amount of stuff. But Rockne was, I mean, he was pitching, obviously, all kinds of athletic equipment. And then he pitched Ramblers or Studebakers, you know, one of those brands, he made coffee, he did all you know, stuff for Kelloggs, a lot of stuff for Kelloggs, and they had coffee at the time.

I just thought Barbasol was big on Barbasol. So he was from a Holmes and Travis Kelsey, eat your hearts out. Newt Rocky was first.

That's right. Major sponsor ambassador. Yeah.

Okay, so well, yes. Did the coach or did the teams buy that brand of equipment? And so I've never really, you know, I've never seen anything definitive. In that regard, and I have this kind of a storyline I've never checked into.

You know, I have read a number of things with Newt Rocky and his, you know, he, he promoted a lot of different kinds of consumer goods, but then also a lot of football equipment. So I mean, I have to believe that they, at minimum, they benefited from the, you know, they got discounts on the equipment, and in some cases, free stuff in order to test it, you know, it had to be that kind of thing going on. But, you know, the research I've done in the past about, you know, like when logos first came, you know, when logos became prominent in the 60s, really Adidas, you know, among track athletes that whole thing got going, and they were, you know, giving away equipment, paying athletes to wear their branded goods.

So that's really where that started. But there were probably, you know, less, you know, maybe a little bit less formal, you know, kinds of, you know, deals in the past, right? You know, yeah, I'm just picturing like a high school coach or athletic director saying, Hey, you know, Fritz Kreisler's endorsing this product, goldsmith, we better write our equipment there, because, you know, we're, we're Fritz Kreisler fans, or, you know, you know, Hunky Anderson fans, whatever, you know, they see they're endorsing it. And, you know, that's probably a lot of the attraction from for having them on the covers.

Yeah. And, you know, I'm sure they got that they got paid something just like, you know, the baseball gloves. And, you know, those athletes got things, and somehow they get money when their gloves are sold.

Right. So right. But, you know, the details of it, I don't understand, or, you know, really know anything about.

I wonder, I picture, you know because you have some great images of the helmets. I wonder maybe, you know, we can look back at some old photographs. Maybe I'll do that in some spare time here and look and see if you can tell a goldsmith helmet from, you know, a Spalding or some of the other manufacturers.
And maybe you can tell that way and say, Hey, you know, Purdue was wearing a goldsmith in 37 or. Yeah. And yeah.

Well, even in that article, I did do that. I couldn't find a good sharp image of the Princeton team from that era to see, well, what helmet they wore? Well, in fact, what I, the only thing I really found was a, it was a painting or an illustration from a year, you know, Princeton yearbook. And the helmets of Princeton players are wearing what we think of as a classic winged helmet.

It was. There's a helmet style. It kind of looks like, now I'm blanking on the term, but it's kind of like a three-leaf clover sort of design. It's, you know, so anyway, but, you know, and Goldsmith offered that helmet and, or that style of helmet, but I think others did as well.

So sometimes it's hard to tell like what brand, because, you know, people, you know, they, they wore, you know, they had similar designs, you know, different brands. Okay. Gotcha.

All right. So go ahead and continue. Yeah.

Well, I was mostly just gonna say, I'm not sure, you know, I'm just, I put together some notes in advance. And so I don't know that I had had anything else. I mean, other than just one of the things that's pretty remarkable, as in all the catalogs or in all the different products, is it like on helmets, you could go from, like, say, a $15 helmet down to like one that costs $2 and 35 cents.

So the, you know, they, they end up having these high end helmets, and then, then there's kind of moderately priced ones, and then there's pretty inexpensive helmets. And so you just gotta, you know, it's like now, every helmet has to meet a certain base at least, you know, performance level, you know, based on Noxi. But, you know, back then, it was like, well, no, we, this is a helmet, it's good.

You know, but there's no measurement standards or anything. It's just like you're taking somebody's word for it. Yeah, that leads into one of the questions I was gonna ask you because the the ad for the helmets that you have on this tidbit, you know, it has three examples of helmets that they were promoting.

And all of them say leather lined. Now, what would be the alternative to leather-lined in that era? Would it be like, you know, cloth or something? Or, you know? Yeah, I think the internals were either leather or felt for the most part. And so you'll, you'll also see things.

You pretty much have to look at the less expensive ones to get a handle on the alternatives. For example, moleskin was kind of a high-end material for pants. It was not as popular in the 1930s, but it was still a high-end material.

Canvas was a low-end material. And then there might be different kinds of twills and maybe duck and whatever. I don't even know what some of those things really are, that they're one form of cotton, you know, material or another, but then by the 30s, you were getting into, you know, silk, and a lot of times it's like airplane cloth, which is actually a form of silk.

So silk, and then I'm blanking on the kind of the really shiny material that satin, you'd see that satin, yeah, it's so you'd see satin on the front of you know, certain, certain teams pants. So yeah, I mean, some of it was once they got into some of the, the not-so-like silk, one of the real values of it was lighter, much more water repellent, you know, so it didn't soak up sweat and, you know, water in a rainy situation. So the players, you know, felt lighter, but it also silk is much easier to dye.

And you can do a much broader range of colors, whereas the duck and canvas pretty much always had earth tones, you know, one or tone or another. So everybody wore kind of the same look in pants until New York versus wearing purple pants. So, you know, I mean, it's, you think about it, that was a big deal.

Awesome. Somebody, hey, they're wearable pants. Right? Yeah, I was just trying to go when you were saying, you know, that from the $15 helmet down to the $2 and 35 cent helmet, I'm picturing, you know, hey, you know, varsity players, you get the $15 helmet with a leather lined and freshmen, you're going to get the burlap lined helmets, you know, uncomfortable.

Yeah, well, I'm sure that sure that was short, obviously, the freshmen who were wearing the stuff, those latest and greatest 10 years ago. Right. And the thing on some of that is, I was looking at, so I'm still writing, you know, writing one of these, and it there's, there's kind of like a flap in the back between kind of the ear hole area in the back.

It's got some kind of flexible extension, some kind of elastic band there. So there was that part of the sizing. If you look at the catalog, sometimes not a lot is said about helmet sizing.

And so, you know, I always had a big old water bucket head. So I needed a big helmet. I've got a younger brothers, you know, got a pinhead.

And, you know, so, but presumably, we would have been issued the same helmet. So, yeah, I'm sure they had some kind of size variations, but, you know, they don't talk about much of the catalog size variations. You had to stuff some straw or a rag in the back or something to make it stay on your head.

Tim, that's a fascinating stuff. And you've, you've got a lot of these goldsmiths that you've been coming out as you said, you had an eight-part series on it, but you have a lot of other interesting stuff coming out, you know, seven days a week. Maybe you could share with folks how they could get in touch with you to learn about your tidbits and read them each and every day.

Yeah. So, you know, so my preferring would be that it just visits the site and you subscribe. And, you know, that way, basically if you're subscribed, you can, you'll get the, you'll get the tidbit by email every night.

Cause I assume it's seven o'clock Eastern. If you, if you're a Substack reader, you can also just get it and follow me on Substack. And then, you know, you'll, you'll be able to get them every night.

Some people don't want the email, but there you go. They like getting it on Substack. I also, at least for now, tweet it every night.

And then I also posted on the application threads. So me on one of those, it's always Football Archaeology. You know, if you enter that, you'll find me.

And then it's kind of like happy reading. All right. Well, Timothy Brown, thank you.
Once again, footballarchaeology.com is the place to go and we appreciate you, sir. And we will talk to you again next Tuesday.

Very good.

Thank you. Thanks, Tim.

Transcribed by TurboScribe

---

In the rich tapestry of American football, where strategy and athleticism intertwine, there are moments when innovation pushes the boundaries of the game. One such instance is the gadget play known as the "Helmet Toss," a daring maneuver that once captivated audiences with its audacious flair. Introduced in the early days of the college game, the play involved a player taking off their helmet. While it showcased the creativity and risk-taking spirit that drives the sport, the play's inherent dangers and unpredictability led to its eventual ban by league officials. Football Archaeology.com's Timothy Brown joins us to discuss a brief yet memorable role in football history, illustrating how the pursuit of innovation can both challenge and reshape the very rules of the game.

If you love the football talk on the history and evolution, then you check out the original article Tim wrote Helmet-Tossing Trickeration.

Also check out the podcast version of our chat at They Tried This Football Gadget Play With the Helmet! Pigskin Dispatch Podcast.

-Transcribed Toss leather Helmet Trickeration with Tim Brown

Hello, my football friends; this is Darin Hayes at PigskinDispatch.com. Welcome once again to The Pig Pen, your portal to positive football history, and welcome to another edition where we get to visit Timothy P. Brown of FootballArcheology.com on a Tuesday and talk about some gridiron from yesteryear and some great aspects of the game. And Tim's got some great stories today in our edition.

Tim, welcome back to The Pig Pen.

Hey, Darin. Good to see you.

And what could I use as a dad joke? I think I'm out of luck. I don't think I have anything. Yeah, I think you're tricked out.

Yeah, that's... I figured that's what you were setting yourself up for. But of course, Tim... Oh, go ahead. I'm sorry.

Well, I was just going to say that I was being the, you know, the straight man in this little comedy routine. And usually, those don't work out so well when you're the straight man, and I'm telling the jokes. Your delivery is much better than mine.

Of course, we're trying to segue into kind of very poorly, I might add, into Tim's great article that he wrote back in July 5th called The Helmet Tossing Trickeration, which, you know, sounds like a mouthful here. And I'm sure we'll have a few more laughs and learn a lot about some football here with this story. Yeah, so I will take a moment; hopefully, in the very near future, my next book, A History of the Football, will be released and available for sale by Football History Enjoying Public.

Anyways, one of the things that I cover in that book is, you know, when and why stripes arrived on the ball. And so stripes basically came, you know, appeared on footballs for two reasons. One is that they were added to help people see the ball when they played night games or when they practiced at dusk.

You know, a lot of times you just would paint a ball white or yellow, but those were slick and slippery. And so they, you know, adding a stripe, you know, they thought would allow, would cause less problems with, you know, the slickness of the ball. So part of it, white stripe or a black stripe on a white ball was just to help people see at night.

But the other thing that, the other reason was to eliminate kind of a camouflage effect. And so, you know, the stripes got added in the 20s, mostly in the 30s. But, you know, back then teams were just starting to wear white jerseys on a fairly regular basis.

Stanford was one of those teams. But so if you used a white ball at night, it was like, okay, well, the opponent was like, well, we can't see the ball because you got white jerseys. And then back, and the same thing kind of happened with the brown ball.

Teams, not many teams wore brown or tan jerseys, but almost everybody was wearing pants that were earth tones. They were khaki. So they were, you know, they were the khaki color or they were brown, or they were, you know, some kind of a greenish brownish blob.

And so it would sometimes be hard to see the ball against that background. And so, and they were also, a lot of teams were wearing, you know, that there were friction strips, but before the friction strips, they'd wear those like pieces of leather that were kind of oval looking on their jerseys. And so, so anyways, for those reasons, it was sometimes hard, you know, you'd lose sight of the ball because of the uniform that the, that the opponent was wearing.

So, so that was a problem. And in that time, there was also some trickeration that was going on. This is in the 20s and 30s, but there was another, there was an older trickeration that had occurred back in, in 1909, which is really the focus of this tidbit.

It's just taken me a little while to get there. So back in 1909, Virginia Tech and North Carolina were playing a game and Virginia Tech had three brothers named, well, their last name was Hodgson. And one of the guys was E.R. Hodgson, and he was the right guard.

Vivian Hodgson ends up, you know, scoring the first TD in the game and E.R., the guard, moves back to be the kicker. This is not him, but you know, figured I'd put a kicker out here. And so, you know, he converts the, converts the kick.

So Virginia Tech's, you know, leading. Five minutes later, Virginia Tech is on the 35 and E.R. Hodgson sets up again to kick, this time a field goal. And rather than, you know, as a snap is made, Hodgson, the kicker, pulls off his brown leather helmet, which is basically the same color as the football.

And he tosses the helmet over the right side of the line so that the, so that the NC State players would think that he was throwing a football. And instead, well, he was throwing a helmet, obviously, but the holder got the ball and he ran around the left side of the NC State line and goes for a 35-yard touchdown. So it's just, you know, this is one of these things where the helmets look enough like a football in terms of just the tanning of the leather that you could throw your helmet and people would think it was a football.

And then in the second half, he sets up again and to place kick another field goal and the ball gets snapped. Instead of going to the, to the holder, the ball gets snapped to the E.R. Hodgson, the kicker. And it's, it's hard to, you know, the, the way they describe it, it's not entirely clear whether, you know, but he handed it off to the quarterback who maybe was positioned out at a wing position.

And it was either like in a draw or a Statue of Liberty sort of play, but the quarterback went for a 75-yard run, you know. So here's poor NC State, you know, they, they thought they were playing a pretty big, pretty good game until they saw ball flying over the, the left side of the defense line, turns out to be a helmet, not a ball. And then they get the old Statue of Liberty play, which was then a new play, pulled on them.

So, you know, two long touchdown runs and unfortunately for them anyways, Virginia Tech won. But so that, that one of the other side lights to this is that these, you know, these trick plays, throwing the helmet around, you know, people continue doing that a bit. And in like the late twenties, there was some guy, I've never figured out who he is, some guy, but he apparently played somewhere in the South.

And he, he would take, he was a running back, he'd take his helmet off and toss it to the ground, you know, sometime close to being tackled, because then some of the defenders would think it was a loose ball, go for the, go for the helmet instead of the, instead of trying to tackle him. And so then that was when they implemented a rule that said every team has to paint their helmets with some kind of striping, you know, cross stripes, or like, you know, kind of like the Michigan Wolverine, you know, type of helmet. You had to have some contrasting colors painted on the top of your helmet.

So it didn't look like a football. So anyways, that's all I know. That's it.

Yeah. That's quite a mouthful there of what you just said. I mean, some great, great stories.

First of all, you almost got to think of back how almost every episode of the A team ended back in the eighties where Hannibal would say, I love it when a plan comes together. It sounds like those, those trickeration plays were to their peak performance there on both of them getting a big touchdown plays, helping them win the game. But the other thing is you almost got to think, you know, it's hard for our modern sensibilities to say, okay, a player's taken off their helmet in the middle of a play.

You know, even in between plays when they're on the field, you know, nowadays they, you know, celebration, they get 15 yard penalties. So obviously that was not the rule back in that era. Well, you didn't even have to have a helmet, you know, at that, at that point.

So, yeah, I mean, you know, people by, well, actually in like oh nine, probably most players didn't wear one. Maybe half did, it probably depended on the team, but you know, certainly in the twenties and thirties, you know, then pretty much everybody was wearing them, but um, like Tommy McDonald, dude, I think he was the last one to play without a helmet. I'm pretty sure that was him.

Maybe, maybe I'm getting him mixed up with some, no, he was the last one to play without a face mask. Yeah. Yeah.

Okay. Yeah. Okay.

I think you alluded to it a little bit, and I think this is what you were talking about. If you go back, you know, back more towards the turn of the century and where the players, the standard equipment was, they were wearing like the vests, like the leather vests, you know, and you know, then the moleskin pants were that tannish color, like you're talking about in football. So I mean that era, and I think all teams were wearing, I don't think they had different color vests.

It was all the same color that had to be really challenging for a defense to be able to follow the ball and run the ball every play too. Yeah. I mean, so, you know, you basically had to rely on, you know, everybody wore long-sleeve sweaters or jerseys, and then they'd have a stripe, or they'd have socks of the same color.

So that was a primary way to tell. And it's like, you know, eventually college players kind of went to the no hose or no stocking look, you know, they just have the, but like the white sock, right. And, but back then everybody was still wearing shin guards.

And so, you know, the some, you know, early on, they'd wear them over their socks, and then they started wearing them under their socks. But I think the socks probably helped keep them on. And it was just a better look instead of having those shin guards.

But I was coming from the aspect of just trying to follow the ball when you have your midsection and your lower, you know, portions of your body are consumed the same color as the football. And, you know, there's 22 guys on the field like that. It's had to be extremely hard as a defender to follow where that ball is.

Yeah. And, you know, half the time, they were running up the gut. So it's like, you know, how they figured out who had the ball sometimes, you know, who knows.

And they weren't the nice clean fields that we see today either. I'm sure most of them were just mud pits. Yeah.

Especially the end of the season. Yeah. No doubt about it.

Yeah. Well, some interesting stuff and some things that we really have to appreciate that our football forefathers had to go through and experience both in the elements and by rules and some of the craziness of the absence of color in the uniforms and stripes on the ball that we take for granted. Of course, the NFL doesn't have the stripes, but almost every other level has some form of a stripe on there.

Now, I guess that's the other thing I'm sitting here trying to envision when you're putting stripes on balls back in the early twenties. It's not like they had, you know, masking tape and spray paint that they could put it on. So I'm assuming somebody's got to almost like detail this, you know, with a stripe with a brush and very little template.

Somebody with a steady hand and some kind of tape or something. But, you know, I mean, when the manufacturers got involved too, it was like, again, this is another thing I talk about in the book, but it's like, where do you put the stripes? Right. How many stripes? Do you have one stripe? Do you have two stripes? Do you have three stripes? Do they go just one way or do they go the long way? I mean, you know, so that there are these things that we take for granted that, well, of course, the white stripe goes there.

Well, no, that's an arbitrary place. I mean, there's probably reason why they ended up where they ended up, but, you know, I mean, they were just trying stuff, you know? So it's like, Billy, go paint white stripes on the ball. Okay, boss.

And, you know, Billy went and did it. Nobody told him how far it was supposed to be and how wide the stripes had to be or anything like that. Yeah, I think if I had to do it, it would probably look like a melted lightning bolt going around there.

I'm sure it wouldn't be going around. That'd be a tough thing to do on an odd shaped ball like that. I've got some images of the striping on the field as well that sometimes was not quite as straight as one might like.

I've experienced that in modern times when on the grass fields it's kind of hard to do measurements, that's for sure, when you have some of those crazy crooked lines in there. But, yeah, it's probably a better job than I would do, so I can't complain too much. Yeah, so, Tim, just another great way to look back at an aspect of football that it's hard for us to appreciate, but it happened and, you know, some of the things that people had to overcome playing the game that they love, just like we'd love it today, and we'd love just to hear about this history.

But you have some multi-times a week, you have some of these things coming up and writing articles on it, and maybe you could tell the listeners how they can enjoy some of these. Sure, just go to footballarchaeology.com and subscribe. All you have to do is submit an email address, and you'll start getting them every week or every time I post one.

Some of the stuff that I do, I, you know, only paid subscribers, you know, get access to it, but a lot of it is available for free. So, that's the best way. You can also follow me on Twitter, on threads, or on the Substack app.

All right, and keep us posted when that book comes out, so we can get the word out and get that in people's hands and enjoy the history of football and some of the aspects you learned about today, and we're going, I'm sure, in better detail in the book. So, Tim, we'd love to have you again next week, and we thank you for joining us today. Very good.

Thanks, Darin

The National Football League (NFL) has long been at the forefront of innovation in sports safety, with a particular focus on improving helmet technology. Over the years, the evolution of NFL helmets has not only enhanced player safety but also influenced the style and customization of headgear, reflecting broader trends in technology and materials science.

photo of helmet, football, grey, and nfl by Daniel Álvasd (@danielalvasd). Courtesy of Unsplash.com| AD.

The Early Days

In the early decades of the NFL, helmets were rudimentary at best. Originally made of leather, these helmets provided minimal protection and did little to prevent head injuries. It wasn't until the 1940s and 1950s that plastic helmets were introduced, marking the first major step toward modern helmet design.

Revolution in Safety and Design

The introduction of the plastic helmet set the stage for ongoing innovations, which included the addition of face masks in the 1950s and 1960s. By the 1980s, helmets were equipped with polycarbonate shells and interior padding, which significantly improved their ability to absorb impacts.

In recent years, the NFL has emphasized helmet safety through its annual laboratory testing program, established in 2015. This initiative evaluates helmets based on their ability to reduce head impact severity. The results of these tests are widely disseminated within the league to inform player choices and drive technological advances in helmet design.

Position-Specific Innovations

The creation of position-specific helmets is one of the most notable advancements in NFL helmet technology. These specialized helmets cater to the unique impact patterns and risks associated with different player positions on NFL teams. For quarterbacks, helmets are designed to mitigate the effects of frontal collisions, while linemen benefit from designs that emphasize protection against side impacts and repeated contact. By tailoring helmet features to the specific needs of each position, the NFL enhances player safety, ensuring that the gear not only protects effectively but also aligns with the dynamic roles players have during the game.

Continuous Improvement

The NFL's commitment to continuous improvement in helmet technology is evident in its rigorous annual testing protocols, which ensure helmets meet high safety standards. The integration of new materials like liquid-crystal elastomers and the application of advanced manufacturing techniques like 3D printing help create helmets that better absorb and redirect impact forces. This innovation is crucial for fantasy football enthusiasts as well, as player safety directly impacts team rosters and game-day decisions. By enhancing helmet safety, the NFL is not only protecting players but also preserving the integrity of the fantasy football experience, where player availability can make or break a season.

The Impact of Style

The evolution of NFL helmets extends beyond safety enhancements, venturing into the realms of style and personal expression. Today's helmets can be customized with a variety of colors, finishes, and graphics, allowing teams and players to maintain a unique aesthetic on the field. This aspect of customization is not just about looking good; it serves to boost player morale and fan engagement. Moreover, the integration of style and safety reflects the NFL's broader commitment to fostering a sport that respects player individuality while prioritizing their protection. These stylistic innovations also help in marketing the sport, as distinctive helmets become part of team identity and branding—a crucial aspect in today's visually-driven media landscape.

Conclusion

The evolution of NFL helmets from simple leather caps to sophisticated, position-specific gear is a testament to the league's commitment to player safety and technological advancement. With ongoing research and development, the future of NFL helmets looks poised to continue this trajectory of innovation, offering better protection and new styles that meet the demands of professional football in the 21st century.

In sum, the history of NFL helmets is not just a story of improved safety measures; it's also a reflection of changing styles and the increasing customization of player equipment. As the NFL continues to innovate, the helmets of tomorrow will likely be even safer and more tailored to individual needs and preferences, ensuring that the game continues to evolve both on and off the field.

---

Darin Hayes welcomes Timothy P. Brown from Football Archaeology to explore an intriguing aspect of football history: the evolution of helmet colors tied to the advent of the forward pass. The conversation dives into the significance of helmet design, particularly focusing on the 1925 Iowa football team, which was one of the first to adopt painted helmets. These helmets were not only practical for visibility but also became a symbol of innovation in the sport. Brown recounts how the first team to paint helmets did so to distinguish eligible receivers on the field, showcasing a blend of psychological insight and practical strategy that defined early football tactics. The episode weaves through historical anecdotes, questioning the legitimacy of claims regarding the psychological impact of helmet colors made by the Iowa psych department, leading to a humorous discussion about the eccentricities of early sports science.

Of course, this story is based on Tim's Factoid Feast Tidbit I in a section called Iowa's Passing Fancy.

We also have an audio-only podcast on the topic found at: The Evolution of Football Helmets: A Colorful History.

Throughout the episode, listeners gain insight into the cultural and strategic transformations in football as the sport evolved from leather helmets to the more modern iterations we see today. The hosts delve into the challenges of maintaining painted leather helmets, discussing the durability of paint and the practicalities of upkeep, which were as complex as the game itself. This thoughtful examination highlights the intersection of sports and psychology, illustrating how something as seemingly simple as helmet color can have a profound impact on gameplay and perception in American football.

Listeners are invited to explore more of Timothy's work at footballarcheology.com, where he offers a treasure trove of stories that celebrate the rich history of football, showcasing how these narratives contribute to our understanding of the game's evolution over time.


The podcast takes a deep dive into the fascinating story of how helmet colors in football came to be, with a particular focus on the Iowa team in 1925. Darren Hayes and guest Timothy P. Brown engage in a lively dialogue that spans the practical implications of helmet design and the quirky historical anecdotes surrounding it. The discussion reveals that the act of painting helmets was not merely an aesthetic choice but was rooted in the strategic needs of the game—specifically, the need to distinguish players during the chaotic action of a match. Brown elaborates on the origins of painted helmets, highlighting how one of the first instances of this practice was motivated by the need to enhance visibility for quarterbacks attempting forward passes. The episode cleverly juxtaposes these historical insights with modern perceptions of the game, drawing parallels between past and present approaches to player visibility and safety.

Moreover, the conversation also touches on the bizarre claims made by Iowa’s psychology department, asserting that their helmet design was “psychologically perfect.” Brown humorously critiques the validity of such claims, suggesting that the supposed scientific rationale may not have held up under scrutiny. This blend of humor and historical analysis not only entertains but also provides listeners with a richer understanding of the complexities involved in the evolution of football equipment.

The episode also serves as a reminder of the often-overlooked details that shape the sport we know today, encouraging fans to appreciate the history and innovation behind every aspect of the game. For those curious to learn more about the intersection of psychology, design, and sports history, Brown's insights are invaluable and can be explored further at footballarcheology.com, where he archives many of these fascinating stories.


Listeners are treated to a unique exploration of football history, specifically the evolution of helmet colors, in this engaging podcast episode featuring Darren Hayes and Timothy P. Brown. The discussion centers on the Iowa football team of 1925, one of the pioneers in the use of painted helmets, which were intended to improve visibility for players on the field, particularly the quarterbacks looking to pass. Brown provides a detailed narrative about how painting helmets became a strategic innovation in football, illustrating how the sport has continuously adapted to improve gameplay and player safety.

As the conversation unfolds, the hosts explore the quirky history surrounding the psychological claims made about helmet designs by Iowa's psychology department, leading to a humorous yet critical examination of the relationship between sports, psychology, and design. Brown's insights into the challenges of maintaining painted leather helmets during inclement weather add depth to the discussion, emphasizing the practical considerations that teams faced in the early days of football. This historical context enriches the listener's appreciation for the game, showcasing how even small changes, such as helmet color, can have significant implications for strategy and player interaction on the field.

The episode paints a vivid picture of the early football landscape, filled with unique stories and facts that highlight the sport's evolution. Listeners are encouraged to visit footballarcheology.com, where Brown curates a collection of historical narratives and insights that celebrate the rich tapestry of football history, ensuring that the legacy of the game continues to inspire future generations.

The Minnesota Golden Gophers football program boasts a rich history and a passionate fanbase. While victories and iconic players are etched in memory, another element silently represents the team's identity – the helmet. This essay explores the evolution of the Minnesota Golden Gophers football helmet design, tracing its journey from a practical safeguard to a recognizable symbol of Gopher pride.

The Early Years (1872-1940s): Safety First

The early days of Gophers football (pre-1940s) mirrored the national trend. Helmets were primarily leather shells, designed to protect players from head injuries. These rudimentary helmets lacked any visual appeal, focusing solely on functionality.

A Touch of Maroon (1940s-1960s): A Simple Addition

The mid-20th century saw the introduction of the first true Gophers helmet design element – a single maroon stripe running down the center of the leather or early plastic shell. This simple addition marked a step towards a more distinctive look for the Gophers.

The Birth of the Double Stripe (1960s-Present): A Lasting Legacy

The most recognizable element of the Gophers helmet design, the twin maroon stripes, arrived in the 1960s. Replacing the single stripe, these bold stripes offered a more prominent visual identity. The clean lines and simple color scheme resonated with fans and players alike, becoming synonymous with the Gophers brand.

Material Advancements (1960s-Present): A Focus on Safety and Consistency

While the core design of the helmet (double maroon stripes) has remained consistent, the materials have undergone advancements. Leather gave way to plastic and eventually high-tech materials designed to maximize player safety. However, these advancements haven't altered the overall visual identity established by the double stripes.

A Symbol of Gopher Pride:

The Minnesota Golden Gophers football helmet design transcends mere protection. It's a symbol of pride for Gopher Nation, a visual representation of the program's fighting spirit and rich tradition. It unites generations of players, coaches, and fans under a shared identity.

The helmet design, colors, and logo of the Minnesota Golden Gophers have changed throughout the past century in amazing ways. Helmet History.com shares images of past Gophers helmets to help spawn memories of the proud Minnesota football tradition.

The glistening reddish colored helmets of the USC Trojans are a recognizable symbol of college football dominance. However, the road to this iconic design has been paved with leather, plastic, and a journey through various styles. This essay delves into the evolution of the USC Trojans football helmet, exploring how it has transformed from a practical piece of equipment to a prominent symbol of Trojan pride.

The Early Years (1888-1930s): The Dawn of Head Protection

In the early days of USC football (1888-1930s), head protection was a rudimentary affair. Players often wore simple leather helmets, primarily designed to prevent scalp injuries. These helmets lacked any sort of design or branding, focusing solely on functionality.

The Rise of the Single Bar (1930s-1940s): A Touch of Identity

The 1930s saw the introduction of the first true USC Trojans helmet design. A single, horizontal white stripe was painted across the leather crown, marking the initial attempt to incorporate the team's identity into the headwear. This simple design remained in use for over a decade, offering a glimpse of the Trojans' branding to emerge in later years.

The Era of Experimentation (1940s-1960s): Material and Design Shifts

The mid-20th century witnessed a period of experimentation for the USC Trojans helmet. Leather helmets were gradually phased out in favor of more protective materials like plastic. Design-wise, the Trojans explored various iterations. They briefly used a two-stripe design before settling on a single, wider cardinal red stripe in the 1950s. This era also saw the introduction of a white facemask, adding a touch of modernity to the helmet's overall look.

The Birth of the Trojan Helmet (1960s-1970s): A Trojan Warrior Emerges

The 1960s marked a pivotal moment in USC Trojans helmet history. Inspired by the growing popularity of helmet decals in college football, USC introduced a revolutionary design. A white Trojan warrior helmet, a simplified version of their logo, adorned the side of the helmet. This iconic image, instantly recognizable and synonymous with the Trojans, cemented its place as a permanent fixture.

Today that crimson glossy helmet with he iconic Trojan emblem in gold is a staple of recognition in Southern Cal lore.

Nestled amidst the rolling plains of Iowa, the story of Hawkeye football isn't just about touchdowns and tackles; it's a visual odyssey etched onto the ever-evolving canvas of their helmets. From gleaming gold to iconic black and stripes, each design choice whispers a tale of tradition, rivalries, and the unyielding spirit that defines the Hawkeyes.

In the early days, simplicity reigned. Solid gold helmets adorned with black numbers reflected the Golden Age of Hawkeye football, a time of dominance marked by the legendary Forest Evashevski and his Rose Bowl-winning squads. This classic look evoked elegance and a sense of tradition, echoing the stoic resilience of the Iowa landscape.

But change, like the seasons, swept across the gridiron. In 1979, under the visionary coach Hayden Fry, the gold gave way to the now-iconic black and gold stripes, echoing the Pittsburgh Steelers' legendary uniforms. This reinvention wasn't just aesthetic; it signaled a new era of swagger and aggression, perfectly captured by the intimidating black stripes slicing through the gold.

And then came the Tigerhawk. Born from Fry's imagination, this stylized hawk's head, formed by the interweaving stripes, became an instant sensation. It was fierce, modern, and uniquely Hawkeye, roaring onto the national stage and instantly becoming a symbol of the program's identity.

But the Tigerhawk, like all symbols, wasn't immune to the winds of change. In 2010, a subtle tweak added a black outline to the hawk's head, emphasizing its predatory nature and sharpening its visual impact. This minor adjustment reflected the program's constant evolution, its pursuit of excellence unwavering through time.

Beyond aesthetics, the Hawkeye helmet has borne the scars of tragedy and resilience. In 1943, in honor of fallen Heisman Trophy winner Nile Kinnick, the left side of the helmet sported a single black number "24," a silent tribute that continues to evoke a pang of memory and pride.

And then there's the annual Cy-Hawk Trophy game, where the helmets transform into battlecries. Black and gold battle black and cardinal, stripes clashing and feathers snarling, each design emblazoned with the unwavering spirit of the rivalry.

The Iowa Hawkeye helmet is more than just a piece of headgear; it's a living testament to the program's rich history, its enduring grit, and its relentless pursuit of victory. From the gleaming gold of yesteryear to the fierce Tigerhawk of today, each design choice whispers a tale of tradition, evolution, and the unwavering Hawkeye spirit that forever pulsates beneath the black and gold.

The UCF Knights football helmet designs have navigated a dynamic journey, mirroring the program's own evolution from upstart underdog to established contender. Here's a glimpse into their helmet history:

Early Days (1980s-1990s):

-Simple white lids with the black "UCF" logo in block letters - a classic, no-frills approach.

-Later variations introduced a black stripe down the center, adding a touch of modern flair.


The Golden Age (2000s-2010s):

-The iconic gold helmet arrived, symbolizing the program's rising status and nickname.

-The black "UCF" logo with white outline became the main feature, creating a bold and recognizable identity.

-Alternate helmets emerged, like the "Space Knights" design with stars and stripes, showcasing UCF's vibrant spirit.


Modern Tweaks and Experimentation (2020s-Present):

-Subtle refinements continued, like adjusting the font of the "UCF" logo for a sleeker look.

-Special occasion helmets became more frequent, honoring veterans, commemorating anniversaries, or even featuring fan-designed artwork.

-Bold experimentation introduced chrome finishes, glow-in-the-dark elements, and even a Pegasus logo helmet, pushing the boundaries of design.

The Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets' helmet design echoes the team's history, reflecting moments of innovation, tradition, and a constant drive to redefine themselves. Strap on your hard hat as we journey through the evolution of Tech's headgear:


Early Days (1892-1950s):

-Leather Lids: In the earliest years, players donned simple leather helmets, offering meager protection but lacking any visual identity.


-Yellow Experiment: In the 1930s, Tech briefly experimented with bright yellow helmets, a bold yet short-lived attempt to stand out.

-Maroon Monoliths: By the 1950s, the classic maroon helmet with a single white stripe emerged, a simple yet elegant design that became synonymous with the Yellow Jackets.


The Heisman Era (1950s-1960s):

-The "GT": Under legendary coach Bobby Dodd, the iconic interlocking "GT" logo made its debut on the maroon helmets, symbolizing Tech's commitment to both athletics and academics.

-Flying Forward: In 1962, amidst space exploration fervor, Tech embraced a helmet decal of a stylized yellow jacket in motion, nicknamed the "Flying Hokie" (though not an actual Hokie!). This dynamic design added a touch of futuristic flair.

-Return to Classics: By the late 1960s, the "Flying Hokie" was retired, and the simple "GT" logo continued to reign supreme, a testament to its timeless appeal.


Modern Evolution (1970s-Present):

-Stripes and Experimentation: In the 1970s, the maroon helmets saw occasional additions like multiple white stripes or a yellow border around the "GT" logo, showcasing a willingness to experiment while maintaining core colors.

Black Power Tribute: In 1971, Tech players wore black stripes down the center of their helmets in solidarity with the Black Power movement, a powerful demonstration of social awareness.

Present Day: Today, the Yellow Jackets retain the maroon helmet with the interlocking "GT" logo. Subtle variations, like matte finishes or alternate shade combinations, are occasionally introduced, allowing for modern touches without straying from tradition.

From the sun-drenched plains of Urbana-Champaign to the gridiron battlefields nationwide, the Illinois Fighting Illini helmet has been a beacon of orange and blue, a canvas whispering tales of triumph and evolution. Its history, spanning over a century, is a testament to the program's shifting identity and enduring spirit.

In the early days, leather helmets ruled, bearing the simple inscription "Illinois" in a font echoing collegiate Gothic. They exuded a rugged charm, a testament to the sport's nascent brutality. As time marched on, plastic arrived, ushering in an era of experimentation. Single facemasks gave way to two, stripes danced between orange and white, and the iconic Block I, a symbol of strength and unity, found its rightful place on the side.

The 1970s brought a bolder era. The "Illini" moniker spanned the helmet in a dual white stripe, mirroring the team's fierce fighting spirit. Coaches experimented with matte finishes and alternative logos, seeking a distinctive visual identity. While some designs left marks, like the infamous all-orange nightmare of 1988, others, like the 1995 centennial helmets adorned with players' numbers, resonated with fans.

The 21st century ushered in a more streamlined approach. The Block I held center stage, its clean lines contrasting with the orange background. Subtle changes, like the introduction and subsequent removal of a blue facemask, reflected a desire for both tradition and modernization.

Recent years have seen a return to the classics. The iconic orange helmet, adorned with the Block I and two white stripes, remains the core identity. Yet, tweaks like the recent addition of a subtle blue outline to the stripes showcase the program's willingness to adapt while honoring its past.

More than just visual aesthetics, the Illini helmet embodies the program's heart. It whispers of Red Grange's electrifying runs, Dick Butkus' bone-crunching tackles, and Jeff George's laser-like throws. It echoes the cheers of Memorial Stadium on crisp autumn Saturdays, the pride of a passionate fanbase.

The Illini helmet is more than just headgear; it's a symbol of heritage, resilience, and the unwavering spirit of Illini football.