Before foam and Kevlar dominated the gridiron, a far stranger form of protection reigned: the pneumatic pad. In the early 20th century, players donned inflatable armor, resembling futuristic gladiators more than athletes. This essay delves into the rise and fall of these curious contraptions, a chapter in football history that is both innovative and ultimately deflated.

Timothy P Brown of Football Archaeology.com shares the story from one of his recent Daily Tidbits on the people and events of the air pads. Here is where you can find Tim's original post complete with great images.

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