T.E Lawrence and Invention of Helmets

If you wear a helmet today, then you owe to this gentleman.

You may ask what connect both of them?

Who was T.E Lawrence ?

T.E. Lawrence was a British military officer who took part in the Great Arab Revolt and later wrote the memoir -The Seven Pillars of Wisdom.

Born on August 16, 1888, in Wales, Thomas Edward Lawrence became an expert in Arab affairs as a junior archaeologist in Carchemish on the Euphrates River from 1911 to 1914, working for the British Museum on archaeological excavations. The versality of his activities and associations, and his ability to describe them vividly in writing, earned him international fame as Lawrence of Arabia.

Atleast 3 films are produced about him and the most popular one is Lawrence of Arabia

The end of an Era

T.E bought one of the first SS100s in 1925 having previously owned three Brough SS80s.(Records says he owned total of 8 Brough’s in which one was yet to be delivered while his death). While driving his George VII (He had the habbit of naming his bikes as George and this motorcycle was 7th in the list) he met with an accident.The crash that would end Lawrence's life on a narrow road near his cottage near Wareham in 1935. The accident occurred because a dip in the road obstructed his view of two boys on bicycles. Swerving to avoid them, Lawrence lost control and was thrown over the handlebars.

There was no helmets at that time and he suffered serious head injuries that left him in a coma; he died after six days in hospital.

Motorcycle riding was in its infant stage and there was literally no thoughts on the safety of the rider.Hugh Cairns a Neurosurgeon attending T.E went on to do a long study on the head injuries and crash helmets.His research has lead to the introduction and popular use of Helmets.

If you wear a helmet today, then you owe to this gentleman.Today it save a lot lives on the road.

T.E Lawarance on his SS100 Brough-Note that there is no Helmets in the image.

A recent report on Motorcycle accidents : 98.6% of bikers who died didn’t wear a helmet.-98.6% of bikers who died didn't wear a helmet - Times of India

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Helmets!! Motorcycle Helmets

I saw a dream on  helmets!! Yea Motorcycle helmets!!

Yes anybody passionate about biking will be too serious about use of Helmets.

Here Goes the story of Helmets. In May 1935, T. E. Lawrence (known as Lawrence of Arabia!! Worth to watch the same movie) had a crash on a Brough Superior SS100 on a narrow road near his cottage near Wareham. He suffered serious head injuries which left him in a coma; he died after six days in hospital. Hugh Cairns, a neurosurgeon, who after Lawrence's death began a long study of what he saw as the unnecessary loss of life by motorcycle dispatch riders through head injuries. Cairns' research led to the use of crash helmets by both military and civilian motorcyclists.

Well point was to bring the background of Helmets usage!!

But which helmet I should use?? Here goes the type of helmets available in the market ( Well I am optimistic new types will come for sure).

Full face

A full face helmet covers the entire head, with a rear that covers the base of the skull, and a protective section over the front of the chin. I use this one.

Off-road / motocross

The motocross and off-road helmet has clearly elongated chin and visor portions, a chin bar, and partially open face to give the rider extra protection while wearing goggles and to allow the unhindered flow of air during the physical exertion of this type of riding.

Modular or "flip-up"

A hybrid between full face and open face helmets for street use is the modular or "flip-up" helmet, also sometimes termed "convertible" or "flip-face". When fully assembled and closed, they resemble full face helmets by bearing a chin bar for absorbing face impacts.

Open face or 3/4 helmet

The open face, or "three-quarters", helmet covers the ears, cheeks, and back of the head, but lacks the lower chin bar of the full face helmet. Many offer snap-on visors that may be used by the rider to reduce sunlight glare. 

Half helmet

It has essentially the same front design as an open face helmet but without a lowered rear in the shape of a bowl. The half helmet provides the minimum coverage generally allowed by law in the USA, and British Standards 2001:1956.

Indian Standard for the Helmets is IS 4151 (Indian Standard, Bureau of Indian Standards, India)

PS: I saw a dream on the new helmets!! I will come back on the same in the next posting.