"And he had a helmet of brass upon his head, and he was clad with a coat of mail."
Samuel 17:5, on Goliath
In English, "helmet" is the generic term given to any device that protects the head, usually from impact- related damage. Today helmets can be found in a wide array of activities from sports to space exploration and are made from advanced composite materials, including plastics and Kevlar, combining maximum protection with minimum weight.
Archeological evidence suggests that helmets have been around since the third millennium B.C.E., being used by the ancient Mesopotamian civilizations. At this time, and for many centuries afterward, the helmet was used exclusively for the purposes of war. The ancient Egyptians were also making helmets at around the same time, taking advantage of the toughness of crocodile skin as their material.
Early arms and warfare reached a peak around the fifth century B.C.E. with the ancient Greeks. In addition to bronze body-fitting armor and broad shields, the Greek hoplites (foot soldiers) also sported a bronze helmet, most often in the Corinthian style—solid metal protecting the head and neck, with a narrow aperture for the eyes, nose, and mouth. This style of helmet not only protected the head but was also fearsome for enemies to behold.
The helmet has seen many revisions over the centuries since. The Romans added hinged cheek flaps, and in medieval times visors were added, affording additional facial protection. In peacetime, protective helmets have since become highly specialized, so that, for example, a cycling helmet facilitates the passage of air to cool the head.
