In the early 1980's there was a really great licensed product known at the Helmet Hat. The Helmet Hat was one of the most unique and innovative ideas in a time when sports licensed products were still growing as a retail force. The Helmet Hat featured the graphics of your favorite NFL team all over the top of the hat, just like the would look on the team's helmet.
Another thing that made the Helmet Hat unique was the foam-like material that it was made out of. In order to put the dye sublimated graphics onto the hat in that all-over fashion, the hat's material had to be different than what hats were usually constructed from. This gave the hat a bulky, unusual feel. Like most hats from that time period, the Helmet Hat sat high up on your head.
The Helmet Hat was a huge hit with NFL fans and could be seen just about everywhere. The ad above featuring the Pittsburgh Steelers' Mean Joe Greene allowed you to order your favorite Helmet Hat directly from the makers of the Helmet Hat, the Louisville Manufacturing Co. The cost of the Helmet Hat in 1982 was a mere $9.25 plus shipping. You could also buy the Helmet Hat at the concession stand at your favorite stadium or at department stores.
The Helmet Hat provides a great look back at the NFL helmet designs of the era. It was one of those quirky products that stands out in your mind if you ever owned one. The Helmet Hat's popularity lasted a few more years, but then it faded away into sports products history.
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LOVE the helmet hat!!!
They should've made earflaps with a hole in the side to further enhance the helmet-ish-ness, but they're great nonetheless. I assume the Steeler lid has the logo only on the right side? Love that Ram hat!
I remember seeing them in stores and recall the only downside was that stiff foamy material you mention. I never had a Helmet Hat, but I can imagine the foam didn't breathe very well making for a sweaty head after awhile.
Posted by: marc | September 15, 2009 at 08:57 AM
superb collection of caps and hats with a very wide range .
Posted by: Graphic Design School | September 15, 2009 at 11:26 PM
All of my friends had one of these. I had a later generation Eagles that had stitched-on wings. They looked like the helmet wings, they were just applied rather than printed.
I'm really surprised this hasn't been tried again.
Posted by: J.R. | September 16, 2009 at 02:01 PM
I've been looking for the Patriots one for years with no luck. We have the Vikings and just sold the Raiders recently, such a cool design!
Posted by: Kirk | September 17, 2009 at 01:41 AM
the Eagles, Chargers and Rams were the crown jewels of this collection.
I've have been looking for these in thrift stores for the past 20 years with no luck.
Posted by: frank | September 17, 2009 at 07:33 PM
We are doing this with knits in the NCAA, we are trying to get this licensed with the NFL, www.mydomz.com
Posted by: Roy | September 21, 2009 at 03:53 PM
Where can you buy one now?
Posted by: Bryan | September 28, 2009 at 10:58 PM