History of the Baseball Helmet's Patent

In 1907, Roger Bresnahan, an MLB player himself, invented the batting helmet after getting hit in the head by a pitch. This wasn’t Bresnahan’s first contribution to baseball equipment, he also introduced the catcher’s shin guard in 1907. 

Despite their usefulness, batting helmets did not experience immediate popularity. Even after Ray Chapman was fatally beaned in 1920, batting helmets were still not required. Up until 1971, some players used plastic inserts fitted in their hats to protect their head if hit. 

It wasn’t until 1971, after a series of head-injury hospitalizations, that the MLB made batting helmets mandatory. After 1971, players who had been in the MLB previously could choose whether they wanted to wear a helmet or not. Many players opted not to wear one despite the safety risks. 

 

In 1983, ear flaps in helmets were made mandatory - typically right-handed batters will protect their left ear, facing the pitcher, and vice versa. Today, while helmets are most common during batting, some players with high risk of head injury will wear flap-less helmets while fielding, particularly pitchers. 

In 1960, before helmets were made mandatory, Creighton Hale of Williamsport, PA was granted a patent for a “sports helmet.” His design bears a striking resemblance to a baseball helmet and includes two ear flaps. His ornamental design covered the appearance of the patent and not the utility, common for non-mechanical items. Hale filed one other patent, a chest and throat protector for catchers.

Check out the patent