Just when sales of Riddell's innovative plastic football helmet were about to skyrocket in 1941, America entered the war. Variations of Riddell's helmet would be heading into combat as well. This episode explores the role of the football helmet in the victory of the US and their allies in World War 2. After the war, a handful of teams would start using this new, hard, plastic helmet. The advantage it gave would be felt almost immediately. This innovative helmet would give rise to new dynasties and would enable a new exercise that takes the football world by storm: the Oklahoma Drill.
First we learn how paratrooper officers and even General George Patton saw potential in the football helmet. The patents of the Riddell company would be utilized for the war effort by outfitting various types of helmets.
The rationing of WWII meant that the materials used to make plastic football helmets would not be available to the public. Meaning only one football team had access to plastic football helmets, West Point's Army Cadets football team.
After the war, the football helmet ends up being acquired by football teams like Notre Dame, the Oklahoma Sooners, the Kentucky Wildcats, Army, Navy, and only a couple others. This enabled coaches like Frank Leahy, Jim Tatum, Bud Wilkinson, and Bear Bryant to employ strategies that push the physical limits of their players.
