The Riddell Company created the first plastic helmet in 1939, which had a face mask and included extra padding for more protection. The plastic retained its shape during collisions. The NFL began requiring helmets in 1943, according to Sports Rec, and began using the plastic ones 10 years after their invention. Face masks became required by 1962.

In the following decades, other innovations were added to improve the wearer’s safety and to decrease injuries. In early 2000, the importance of the helmet’s structure underwent scrutiny as awareness heightened about concussions and their ramifications on players. “The helmet will never be expected to fully prevent concussions or other head trauma, but the advancements in recent years are making a major difference,” the NFL said to Insurance Journal. 

Four years ago, the NFL made it a priority to collect data on helmets and head injuries to better track how and when injury-causing incidents occurred, and then shared the data with manufacturers. The NFL in partnership with the NFL Players Association also tests any new helmets to ensure their safety.

“Almost all players are now wearing helmets that receive top ratings for performance, a marked increase from just two years ago,” according to the NFL. Today, the making of a helmet is increasingly high tech. Riddell, for instance, has 3D mapping and can fit every helmet to the unique shape of the head that wears it — something that might become commonplace in the future.