My first crash helmet was one that was kicking around my bedroom when I was a kid. I’ve no idea where it came from (and no idea where it went!) but it was the type of helmet you’d see someone wearing in a 1970s sit com. It was a cream color with an integral peak and made of what looked like compressed cardboard! It was a godawful thing and about as safe as wearing a hair net. Crash helmets before the 1970’s really were kinda pointless and thankfully I was too young to need a crash helmet at the time so was saved the embarassment.
I don’t exactly know who made my first proper crash helmet. I can picture it vividly though – firstly in my mate’s bedroom where I coveted it deeply and profoundly. It was a big blighter – this was the mid-80s though so it’s allowed be – and at the time it was a real object of desire. It had browny and reddy airbrushing and then two or three circular areas with German Iron Crosses in them. It also had a brown corduroy interior. Sounds beautiful doesn’t it?!?
It was big, cool and expensive looking and I really wanted it. And when I got my first bike, I bought it off my mate for $10 then peeled the makers name off it which was slapped across the chin guard in thick black stickers.
Having said that, I’ve still no idea who made the helmet but I’d love to know – if it rings a bell with anyone, please comment below.
Update.
I eventually found a picture of it online… and here it is:
