In 1929, John Tate Riddell started his company armed with a vision to provide better sports equipment for athletes. And such an idea has proven to be very beneficial, not only for JT Riddell but also for the players, as from this concept emerged the leading manufacturer of soccer hats in the country.
Removable Cleats — The history of Riddell football helmets began with a removable cleat. This design was prepared by Riddell while he was still the Athletic Director and at the same time the head of the football coaching staff of a certain high school located in Evanston, Illinois. It was 1922 when the head coach saw the need to develop today’s leather footwear for his team. With the arrival of the rainy season, such a condition dictates the need to change studs and install a longer mud stud to accommodate this variable. This process takes a long time, not to mention that the shoemaker in charge of carrying out this task was also hired by a university ergo as he was unable to finish all the shoes for playing time. The invention of removable cleats was well received and sparked a number of innovations that led to groundwork in the history of Riddell football helmets.
Ten years after the company was formed, Riddell pioneered the first plastic suspension harness. This advance caught the attention of the government because it will undoubtedly be an advantage for the brave of World War II. This is one of the best points in the history of Riddell football helmets.
With protection as the primary goal, it’s hard to believe that helmets, rather than cheek pads, were the last to be accepted in professional football. The former is not even mandatory in football, that is, until 1939, when the NFL ordered players to wear that protective helmet. Before the dawn of plastic helmets, there was leather. Players can be protected against concussions, but not the heat: the air can barely circulate inside.
Evolution is inevitable; The same applies to the history of Riddell football helmets. RT-2 was the first helmet designed by the company and sold to the public. This helmet model was manufactured in 1946, one year after the death of JT Riddell. RT-2 was a three-piece shell using Tenite II with cotton fabric suspension for the head and neck. Said suspension has an air pocket between the head and the shell of the helmet. Although Riddell could not really see the evolution and expansion of his company, he will always live in each of the points that he has protected, whether it is linked to an amateur or professional soccer player.
After RT-2 was RK-4. The latter resembles the shape of the RT-2, although the housing material is different. RK-4 was made using a chemical called acrylonitrile butadiene styrene made by US Rubber. The cotton tape that was present in the RT-2 was replaced by a combination of cotton and nylon. Both models featured the regular 3-loop 6-point suspension.
The history of Riddell football helmets includes the TK-5 and PAC-44 models. The two shared the same shell composition as the RK-4. The difference lies in the inner cushion. TK-5 was originally padded with cotton. However, it was modified to the interior of the RK-4, which was made of cotton and nylon. As for PAC-44, it was labeled and targeted at young people. It featured an interior air mattress made of vinyl.
From these precursors, the company has progressed along with the game. With its ‘firsts’ like the net suspension, air cushion interior, and self-contained head inflation kit, to name a few, it’s really hard to imagine the sports equipment scene without Riddell.
This is the history of Riddell football helmets … until now. With resourceful minds continually formulating new ideas, it’s easy to say that another landing is within our grasp.
