Football Helmet: Head to Ground Testing Device.; The history of football helmets and their improvements over time. 118 views

This portfolio investigates the development of safer football helmets through an integrated technical and socio-technical lens, combining engineering innovation with Actor-Network Theory (ANT). The technical project presents the design and validation of a Head-to-Ground (H2G) test device capable of replicating the linear and rotational dynamics of concussive impacts seen in professional football. Motivated by the under representation of “whipping” impacts in helmet testing protocols, the device utilizes gravitational and spring forces to simulate a wide range of real-world impact conditions with high repeatability and scalability. Complementing this, the STS research paper explores the historical evolution of football helmet technology, analyzing how players, engineers, medical professionals, manufacturers, and governing bodies co-construct safety solutions in response to growing concerns about concussions and chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE). Through ANT, the paper illustrates the interconnected roles of human and non-human actors in shaping both innovation and resistance in helmet adoption. Together, these works demonstrate how technological design and societal context must converge to enhance player safety and accountability in American football.

BS (Bachelor of Science)

Football; Concussion; Helmet; Safety; CTE

English

All rights reserved (no additional license for public reuse)

2025-05-03