Key Features:
- Materials Used:
- Animal skins
- Wood
- Metals
- Purpose: Primarily used for protection against bladed weapons and projectiles like arrows.
Transition to Modern Armor:
- The advent of firearms in the 14th century dramatically changed warfare.
- This shift required the development of more advanced protective gear capable of withstanding bullets.
19th Century: The Advent of Bulletproof Vests
The evolution of bulletproof vests began in the mid-19th century with significant discoveries.
Historical Highlights:
- Innovator: George E. Goodfellow, a surgeon in Tombstone, Arizona.
- Discovery: Silk fabric was found to stop low-velocity bullets, leading to early bulletproof vests.
Year | Key Development | Impact |
---|---|---|
Mid-19th Century | First use of silk fabric for bullet protection. | High-ranking individuals and law enforcement officers began using silk vests for protection. |
Materials:
- Silk: Known for its light weight and surprising bullet-stopping capabilities at the time.
20th Century: Kevlar Revolution
The 20th century marked a significant leap forward in bulletproof technology, thanks to the invention of Kevlar.
Key Innovation:
- Inventor: Stephanie Kwolek, 1965.
- Material: Kevlar, a high-strength synthetic fiber.
Advantages of Kevlar:
- Strength: Five times stronger than steel.
- Durability: Resistant to wear, corrosion, and flames.
- Protection: Modern bulletproof vests provide superior protection against high-velocity bullets.
Year | Material | Properties | Impact on Body Armor |
---|---|---|---|
1965 | Kevlar | High strength, lightweight, flame-resistant | Revolutionized modern bulletproof vests, offering enhanced protection. |
Legacy:
- Kevlar remains a core material in today’s bulletproof vests, widely used by military, law enforcement, and security personnel.