Let me start by saying I have never liked winged helmets, but as a chronicler of football’s past, it is my duty to reveal the game’s ugly side and its beauty.
I must respectfully disagree, the winged helmets represented the pinnacle of football helmet design and aesthetics in the 1930s. Goldsmith 'Preferred' products were the best of the best!
Curious as to your take on stylistically more bird-like wings, such as those paint-ons of the Philadelphia Eagles and the Rice Owls. For that matter, what about the Rams' horns? (I always hoped they'd just lower their heads and butt their way ..)
I wrote previous stories about UChicago in the early 1920s and Washington in the 1930s placing letter logos on the backs of their helmets, but the LA Rams were the first with a logo other than the school letter symbol. The Rams' horns and various teams' wings may have been inspired by winged helmets, but I've never seen anyone make that link. Interesting thought.
I understand tradition and won't argue that Michigan in anything else would be a travesty, but aesthetically winged helmets are just the goofiest looking things. The history and tradition behind them is why people like them, not because they look good. (Not that there's anything wrong with that, I'm a traditionalist myself.)
Princeton/Michigan, etc., - teams that had these padded helmets and kept the look - I don't mind so much. Again, that was their look at the time and they wanted to keep it. But anyone who copies it, especially high schools that didn't have a football team in the padded-helmet days, that's is inexcusable.
I never liked the look, but am surrounded by it living in the Detroit area. Just my way of thumbing my nose at friends and neighbors who believe in that nonsense.
Thank you. As for the winged helmets, we all have our faults and the first step in overcoming them is to recognize there is a problem.
I must respectfully disagree, the winged helmets represented the pinnacle of football helmet design and aesthetics in the 1930s. Goldsmith 'Preferred' products were the best of the best!
Curious as to your take on stylistically more bird-like wings, such as those paint-ons of the Philadelphia Eagles and the Rice Owls. For that matter, what about the Rams' horns? (I always hoped they'd just lower their heads and butt their way ..)
I wrote previous stories about UChicago in the early 1920s and Washington in the 1930s placing letter logos on the backs of their helmets, but the LA Rams were the first with a logo other than the school letter symbol. The Rams' horns and various teams' wings may have been inspired by winged helmets, but I've never seen anyone make that link. Interesting thought.
The forehead in mythology ..
Great article today.
I understand tradition and won't argue that Michigan in anything else would be a travesty, but aesthetically winged helmets are just the goofiest looking things. The history and tradition behind them is why people like them, not because they look good. (Not that there's anything wrong with that, I'm a traditionalist myself.)
Princeton/Michigan, etc., - teams that had these padded helmets and kept the look - I don't mind so much. Again, that was their look at the time and they wanted to keep it. But anyone who copies it, especially high schools that didn't have a football team in the padded-helmet days, that's is inexcusable.
I never liked the look, but am surrounded by it living in the Detroit area. Just my way of thumbing my nose at friends and neighbors who believe in that nonsense.
Thanks for the information on the winged helmet. Michigan can keep their style forever.
Love the blog. I'm biased but i also loved the winged helmet