Helmet is a covering of metal or other sturdy material designed to protect the head. Most helmets have soft liners so they may be worn comfortably. Many people wear helmets, including firefighters, police officers, bicycle and motorcycle riders, and construction workers. Athletes in certain sports wear helmets. Astronauts wear special helmets for space travel. In tropical climates, pith helmets or cork helmets provide protection from the sun.
Helmets once were worn only in war. The first helmets, worn by Ethiopian soldiers, were the skulls of horses, complete with mane and ears. The ancient Assyrians, Greeks, and Romans wore dome- or cone-shaped helmets made of bronze. Knights in the Middle Ages wore helmets of chain mail or plated steel. They were dome-shaped so that sword blows glanced off the surface. In many cases, the helmet covered the entire head, leaving only slits or holes for seeing and breathing. Some helmets were attached to body armor so they could not be knocked off.
Combat soldiers in World Wars I and II wore steel helmets that could also be used as a cooking pot, dish, or wash basin. Since 1978, soldiers in the United States Army have worn helmets made of a synthetic fiber that is stronger than steel.
