Quick History of Body Armor / Bullet Proof Vests

Law enforcement personnel and the military have utilized body armor also known to many as “bullet proof vests”, or more recently concealable body armor, effectively for nearly four decades to aid in protection from many small arms related ballistic projectiles and/or fragmentation. Throughout history various materials have been used as body armor for protection against combat injuries especially to protect vital organs. The science of body armor has come a long way from earlier eras when leather, wooden shields, chain mail, and cumbersome plate mail (metal armor used for edged weapons protection) were the chosen means of protection. These older methods had a real purpose and were effective measures for their time. Every advancement in the lethality of new weapons systems throughout history has been matched in one way or another with equally advanced countermeasures that have included various levels and types of body armament. As we move into 21st Century, and with the recent advent of modern ballistic weapons (firearms), a new set of rules apply. This shift in the dynamics of warfare technology has dictated that new and improved strategies, methods, and materials are necessary to match the current forms of weaponry.

The First Body Armor in the United States

U.S. patent records indicate attempts made by engineers as early as the first part of the 1900s to introduce certain types of body armor. Actual use of bullet proof vests in the 1930’s has been fully documented as well. These early models were either not effective against high velocity ballistics, were too cumbersome, or were not cost effective to mass-produce. Later experiments at developing “soft body armor” proved more fruitful and carried with them lots of attention. This new type of body armor focused on the use of silk woven into the armor as a protective property. The early silk models were also eventually deemed ineffective against high velocity rounds and were too expensive to manufacture on a large scale.

Flak jackets made an appearance in World War II. Flak jackets were constructed of ballistic nylon, providing protection from small arms munitions fragments but were not effective against most higher velocity pistol and rifle rounds. These vests tended to be extremely cumbersome and were primarily used by the military during this time.

Modern Body Armor

Light weight, Ballistic-resistant body armor was first effectively engineered around 1960 when new fibers were discovered that made today's modern generation of concealable body armor attainable. Soon after, NIJ (National Institute of Justice) research identified new materials that could be woven into a lightweight fabric with effective ballistic resistant properties. NIJs greatest leap in technology research focused around the development of lightweight body armor that employed Dupont’s Kevlar ballistic fabric into the prototypes. This breakthrough came about through a combined effort and funded from various organizations including: The National Institute of Justice (NIJ), National Institute of Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice (NILECJ), The United States Army, FBI, U.S. Secret Service and other government and contract organizations. As a result of their combined research and development a final report was released in the 1970s. This report concluded that the new ballistic material was effective in providing a bullet resistant garment that was lightweight and suitable for full-time use. This report, subsequent analysis, and follow-up studies revealed the need for waterproofing, protection against ultraviolet light, and other aspects of design to promote the integrity of the product. For example, a fabric covering was found to maintain the inherent antiballistic properties of this new Kevlar material. Many other aspects have been analyzed such as blunt trauma and ease of mobility. Today research is leading to more and more improvements to modern day body armor.

To learn more about standards, research and development please visit NIJ’s website.