The History Behind Body Armors and Bulletproof Vests

TimelineIn 1989, the Allied Signal Company created Spectra
In the beginning, warriors wore chain mail whichwhich were a clear contender against Kevlar. The
consisted of metal rings that were linked together toresult of these two products is the same, which are
form a shirt that was worn over clothing. This typehigh quality bulletproof vests. Since this time, other
of armor would provide protection from a swordmaterials have been made such as Zylon, Dyneema
strike. Other countries would wear layers of animaland Gold Flex.
skin, such as rhinoceroses as their skin were veryThe Future
durable. In some instances, actual metal plates wouldNew technologies are making it possible to make
be constructed that would provide a certain level ofbody armor stronger, more durable and lighter. Many
protection.scientists are using liquid or fluid based materials that
In the 1960s, Natick Laboratories designed a vesteither coat fibers or turn into a solid state when
carrier that held ceramic plates which stopped 7mmunder impact.
rifle rounds. In 1969, police officers would begin toTesting methods are also set to become more rigid
use the Barrier Vest that was made by Americanin order to ensure uniformity and safety. The National
Body Armor. It was the most widely used bodyInstitute of Justice will be testing for sun exposure,
armor product in its time.heat, moisture, stretching and detergents to see
In later years, weapons became stronger andhow it affects the life of a bulletproof vest.
companies found new ways to protect againstMany manufacturing companies are making 2020
bullets. In 1965, a DuPont scientist named Stephaniesoldier suits that are being presented to the U.S.
Kwolek created Kevlar. This revolutionary materialmilitary and Congress. This futuristic body armour
would provide decades of protection from variousgear provides new features and added comfort.
bullets.