<Tr> <Td> </Td> <Td> This article needs additional citations for verification . Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources . Unsourced material may be challenged and removed . (July 2009) (Learn how and when to remove this template message) </Td> </Tr> <P> The football helmet is a piece of protective equipment used mainly in American football and Canadian football . It consists of a hard plastic shell with thick padding on the inside, a face mask made of one or more plastic - coated metal bars, and a chinstrap . Each position has a different type of face mask to balance protection and visibility, and some players add polycarbonate visors to their helmets, which are used to protect their eyes from glare and impacts . Helmets are a requirement at all levels of organized football, except for non-tackle variations such as flag football . Although they are protective, players can and do still suffer head injuries such as concussions . </P> <P> One of the first instances of football headgear dates to 1896 when Lafayette College halfback George "Rose" Barclay began to use straps and earpieces to protect his ears . It is not certain who invented the football helmet . Many sources give credit for the creation of the helmet to James Naismith, while other sources credit U.S. Naval Academy Midshipman Joseph M. Reeves (later to become the "Father of Carrier Aviation"), who had a protective device for his head made out of mole skin to allow him to play in the 1893 Army - Navy game . Reeves had been advised by a Navy doctor that another kick to his head would result in "instant insanity" or even death, so he commissioned an Annapolis shoemaker to make him a helmet out of leather . Later, helmets were made of padded leather and resembled aviators' helmets or modern day scrum caps . At least in professional football, they were optional . Some National Football League players, notably Hall - of - Famer Bill Hewitt, played all or most of their careers without a helmet . </P> <P> One innovation from the early 1900s period was hardened leather . 1917 marked the first time helmets were raised above the head in an attempt to direct blows away from the top of the head . Ear flaps also had their downfall during this period as they had little ventilation and made it difficult for players to hear . The 1920s marked the first time that helmets were widely used in the sport of football . These helmets were made of leather and had some padding on the inside, but the padding was insufficient and provided little protection . In addition, they lacked face masks . As a result, injuries were very common . Early helmets also absorbed a lot of heat, making them very uncomfortable to wear . </P>

When did they start wearing helmets in football
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