Football has changed in a lot of ways since it was first played in the 19th century. Originally the game was developed as a hybrid of soccer and rugby. But today's football was nothing like what was played in the early years -- the forward pass, now a staple of modern football, was not allowed in the game until the start of the 20th century. As with the rulebook, much of the game's equipment has gradually changed and evolved over time.
Helmets
The football helmet may have undergone the most drastic evolution from the early days of football to its modern incarnation. Early football helmets were little more than leather coverings worn on the head like a hat. Although padding was later added underneath the leather to make the helmets safer, it wasn't until the late 1940s that a plastic model of the helmet was invented. Facemasks came into use in the 1950s, and the radio receiver placed into these helmets was first used in the NFL in the mid-1950s, although it was quickly banned and did not reappear in the professional game until the 1990s. Although improvements are constantly under evaluation, today's helmets are still made of plastic with hard foam padding underneath the outer shell.
Shoulder Pads
The first football players in the 19th century didn't wear shoulder pads. But, much like the thin helmets that were worn, the lack of upper body protection led to a lot of serious injuries. Shoulder padding was introduced in the early 1900s to make the game safer. These pads were configured similar to those worn today, fitting over the head and covering the shoulders and upper chest. Although early pads were made of leather, today's shoulder pads are made of plastic and synthetic materials.
Leg Pads
Leg pads were the most significant early form of padding. The pads were a carryover from rugby, where the legs and knees undergo a lot of strain. Leg pads have not changed much over the years because injuries often occur in the upper body and head, and these injuries are much more serious in nature. Although knee injuries are common, they are not the type of injury that simple padding could protect.
Other Equipment
Before the development of the facemask, nose guards were commonly worn to protect the nose from being broken. These coverings fit over the nose and had breathing holes bored into the underside of the cover. A leather strap wrapped around the head to secure the cover in its place. Football cleats also featured knobs and spikes on the underside of the foot to provide better traction on grass fields. Though the quality has greatly improved, field spikes are still worn in football today.
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