Original prototype pad for Windpact crash cloud technology
notes: label: Description (Brief)
content: Original prototype pad for Windpact crash cloud technology is a circular, yellow foam pad encased in a soft clear plastic cover. This piece is the first example of the crash cloud technology produced. In theory, when this type of material is attached to the interior of a football helmet, it acts like an air bag when force is applied. The pads or crash clouds, expand and contract to cushion the wearer's head within the helmet to prevent head injuries and impact concussions.
label: Description (Brief)
content: Windpact was created by retired NFL football player Shawn Springs an African-American inventor, entrepreneur, businessman and athlete. Inspired by a car accident he and his family were in, Springs noticed his daughter’s car seat protected her from the impact and thought he could use this technology in other ways. Initially he developed this ‘crash cloud’ technology for use in football helmets to reduce concussions in players but soon used this new technology in all types of athletic helmets, as well as military helmets. Windpact continues to develop and innovate with 3D printed materials finding a variety of applications for this new technology.
topic: label: web subject
content: Invention
setName: label: See more items in
content: Culture and the Arts: Sport and Leisure
label: See more items in
content: Sports & Leisure
label: Exhibition
content: Change Your Game
label: Exhibition Location
content: National Museum of American History
creditLine: label: Credit Line
content: Windpact
dataSource: label: Data Source
content: National Museum of American History
identifier: label: ID Number
content: 2022.0054.04
label: accession number
content: 2022.0054
label: catalog number
content: 2022.0054.04
objectType: label: Object Name
content: pad, football
label: Object Name
content: prototype pad
physicalDescription: label: Physical Description
content: foam (overall material)
label: Physical Description
content: plastic (overall material)
label: Measurements
content: overall: 2 in x 7 1/2 in x 7 in; 5.08 cm x 19.05 cm x 17.78 cm