In the early 1960s, the testing data on helmet quality would have been of Stone Age quality and plastic helmets created some problems by essentially copying the shape of leather helmets (e.g., guillotine effect). The advances in plastic helmets means there is no longer a comparison, but back then, it was more about one man's opinion versus another.
For me, the signature helmet issue has become 'protection' for the opposing player as well ..
In the early 1960s, the testing data on helmet quality would have been of Stone Age quality and plastic helmets created some problems by essentially copying the shape of leather helmets (e.g., guillotine effect). The advances in plastic helmets means there is no longer a comparison, but back then, it was more about one man's opinion versus another.