Northwestern Wildcats Helmet Design Evolution History
Northwestern's helmet design, like the team itself, has seen a rich evolution reflecting changing times and traditions. Here's a quick summary:
Early Days (1876-1940s):
Started with simple leather helmets, sometimes white, sometimes black.
Experimented with cross-hatch patterns and even a brief "dog flap" style.
In 1940, they became the first college team to wear a modern plastic helmet, dark purple with black and white stripes.
Modern Era (1950s-1960s):
Switched to white helmets with purple stripes mirroring the jersey sleeves.
In 1968, a landmark moment: the first NU logo, the connected "NU," appeared on an all-purple helmet.
The Purple Reigns (1970s-present):
Various shades of purple dominated, with stripes or solid designs.
Notable additions included player numbers and chrome facemasks.
Special edition helmets emerged, like the black "Murder Cats" helmet or the white helmet honoring women's athletics.
Today and Beyond:
The current helmet is purple with white stripes and the classic "NU" logo.
Variations often feature chrome accents, unique decals for special occasions, or even matte finishes.
Northwestern's helmet journey illustrates their commitment to tradition while embracing innovation. Each design tells a story, reflecting the evolution of the team, the sport, and the ever-present "purple pride."
Early Days (1876-1940s):
Started with simple leather helmets, sometimes white, sometimes black.
Experimented with cross-hatch patterns and even a brief "dog flap" style.
In 1940, they became the first college team to wear a modern plastic helmet, dark purple with black and white stripes.
Modern Era (1950s-1960s):
Switched to white helmets with purple stripes mirroring the jersey sleeves.
In 1968, a landmark moment: the first NU logo, the connected "NU," appeared on an all-purple helmet.
The Purple Reigns (1970s-present):
Various shades of purple dominated, with stripes or solid designs.
Notable additions included player numbers and chrome facemasks.
Special edition helmets emerged, like the black "Murder Cats" helmet or the white helmet honoring women's athletics.
Today and Beyond:
The current helmet is purple with white stripes and the classic "NU" logo.
Variations often feature chrome accents, unique decals for special occasions, or even matte finishes.
Northwestern's helmet journey illustrates their commitment to tradition while embracing innovation. Each design tells a story, reflecting the evolution of the team, the sport, and the ever-present "purple pride."
