| The engineer and industrial designer Gottlieb | | | | from 1966 onwards. These were quickly adopted |
| Daimler who also invented the first high-speed | | | | in many other countries worldwide, including the |
| petrol engine, four-wheel automobile and the first | | | | UK. |
| motorcycle invented the first motorcycle helmet | | | | From these initial helmets many developments |
| in 1885. This 'helmet' consisted of a leather cap | | | | and advances were made both in the design of |
| with fur lining offering little real protection. | | | | the protective head wear but also to the |
| As technological and engineering advances | | | | materials used to produce them. Design changes |
| increased and motorcycle design changed to | | | | included the shape of the helmet, the weight and |
| incorporate a greater focus on speed, the number | | | | also the fastenings used to secure them into |
| of accidents and fatalities also increased. The initial | | | | place. |
| motorcycle helmet had not been designed to with | | | | Modern helmets now have to pass rigorous |
| stand high-speed impacts. | | | | safety tests. The motorbikes available on the |
| It was then that C.F Lombard, a University of | | | | market become ever more powerful means the |
| Southern California professor designed and tested | | | | protection needed from these super bikes also |
| helmets with the strength to withstand and | | | | increases. There are numerous styles of helmet |
| absorb the shock of an accident at high speed | | | | available in today's market from full helmets, |
| whilst protecting the wearer. The helmet | | | | three-quarter helmets and half helmets. |
| incorporated both a hard outer shell to absorb and | | | | The increased importance on safety over the |
| spread the impact of an accident but also a | | | | years has meant that many manufacturers have |
| padded inner layer to provide added comfort. | | | | introduced other protective lines to their ranges. |
| After the introduction of this patented helmet to | | | | Bikers nowadays always use a protective helmets |
| the market many agencies including government | | | | but also the rely more and more on other types |
| organisational bodies recognised the need for | | | | of protective clothing such as alpinestars biking |
| safety protection. This resulted with the | | | | boots, trousers and jackets. |
| introduction of mandatory helmet laws in America | | | | |