page_title: Helmet camera
section_title: History
hierarchical_section_title: Helmet camera / History
caption_attribution_description: English: The first documented helmet camera was a Canon CI-10 camera mounted to the side of Dick Gracia's helmet by Aerial Video Systems (AVS) of Burbank, CA at the Nissan USGP 500 World Championship at Carlsbad Raceway in Carlsbad, CA on June 28, 1986. Not only was this the first time the helmet camera was used, but AVS transmitted the images from this camera live via portable microwave to the ABC broadcast truck to integrate into their live broadcast. This revolutionary system offered the viewers an unprecedented perspective of the race as it unfolded.)
context_page_description: A helmet camera, otherwise known as a micro video camera, is an action camera, usually a closed circuit television camera, attached to a helmet allowing someone to make a visual record from their point of view, while keeping their hands and vision free.
context_section_description: Archives containing photos of helmet cameras have surfaced over the last decade. One shows Denver Broncos backup quarterback Jacky Lee wearing a helmet camera at football practice in 1965. A mocked-up helmet camera appears in the opening scenes of The Private Afternoons of Pamela Mann, released in 1974, used by a character for voyeurism. Another early and more noble helmet video camera was a 1977 head-mounted camera designed to convert images into tactile sensations for the blind.
  Almost a decade later, a Canon CI-10 camera was mounted to the side of Dick Garcia's helmet by Aerial Video Systems (AVS) of Burbank, CA at the Nissan USGP 500 World Championship at Carlsbad Raceway in Carlsbad, CA on June 28, 1986. At this time the helmet camera was used commercially. For the first time, images were transmitted live from this camera by AVS via portable microwave to the ABC broadcast truck, then integrated into their live broadcast.  This innovative system showed viewers the rider's Point of View of the race as it unfolded.
   Another early innovator of video helmet camera technology was Mark Schulze, who created a system for use while producing The Great Mountain Biking Video in 1987. "Schulze stripped-down a red motorcycle helmet and jury-rigged a mounting for the first consumer color video chip camera. A cable ran from the camera to a padded backpack that contained a Panasonic VHS portable video recorder and a DC-lead-acid battery for power, which made the rig heavy, unwieldy, and hot.
  This pioneering technology brought an engaging perspective to live sports television and action sports videos and eventually gave way to button and lipstick cameras.  The helmet cam then became a standard piece of equipment, worn by umpires, catchers, goalies and referees for live television as well as BMX riders, surfers, skiers, skydivers, hockey and soccer players and other sports aficionados, to record and share their experiences.
  In 1991, the World League of American Football introduced the innovation of a miniature camera mounted on the right side of the VSR-3 Riddell helmet worn by quarterbacks. This rig was developed by USA Network and Aerial Video Systems (AVS). An antenna was placed in the crown of the helmet between an inflatable pad and the shell.  Each of these Helmet-Cams cost $20,000 and transmitted live game action.  These helmet cams were briefly used to provide live player's-eye-view footage in professional American football. However, their use was discontinued after players complained of the extra weight, and TV networks became concerned about the aggressive behavior the cameras captured.
  In 2002, after graduating with a degree in Visual Arts from UCSD, Nick Woodman, a long-time surfer, created the GoPro camera.  This was a small, wearable camera with a waterproof housing for people to share their personal experiences in sports and other endeavors with the world.
  Today's generation of helmet cameras offer features like on-screen menus, high-definition format, wireless transmitting to an offsite recording device, waterproof enclosures, multiple mounts and 3D capabilities.
caption: An early helmet cam. Provided by Aerial Video Systems, worn by Dick Garcia and broadcast live via microwave on ABC from the 500 World Championship at Carlsbad Raceway on June 28, 1986.
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