|
RIDDELL: A HELMETED TRADITION
A Sandtroopers.com Exclusive - By
Julian H. Betancourt
All Images and
Layouts © and ™ Sandtroopers.com, and cannot be reproduced without the
express written permission of Sandtroopers.com. Sandtroopers.com exclusive pictures cannot be duplicated without proper consent.
E-mail jason@sandtroopers.com
with requests.
W
ith the creation of the first plastic suspension helmet in 1939, a tradition in innovation and quality
began. Its creator was John T. Riddell, a former high school mathematics teacher and football coach at Evanston Township High School.
I
t was some years before, during 1913 to 1927, while being the school's coach, that Riddell had first used his natural talent for inventing and improving sport equipment and had created the removable football cleat. Back in those days, football shoes
had only leather cleats. If rain was on the way, the shoes had to be taken to a cobbler and longer mud cleats were installed. Riddell's idea solved the problem.
O
nce he gained enough confidence in his first invention, Riddell left his school job, convinced some JP. Smith employees to moonlight, and founded The Riddell Corporation in 1929. Riddell's creative nature led him into the development and perfection of another great idea, the plastic suspension helmet.
T
here were rough, difficult days for our nation as part of our military involvement in World War II. The interference of the War with his supply of materials
enabled Riddell to manufacture the helmets and the inventor allowed our government the use of the suspension
system, in what was known as the biggest production of helmets ever. Riddell's innovative armory design was heavily put to test when millions of
Allied troops wore it in combat.
U
nfortunately, Riddell passed away in 1945 at the age of 59 and was never able to see the application of his suspension design in the Sports field. Just as it had previously occurred with the GI helmet, a mass produced football helmet burst into the market, easily gaining popularity and becoming the most recognized helmet ever. The helmet debuted in 1949 in the NFL.
I
n 1989 Riddell Sports became the official manufacturer of NFL helmets. Innovations have included The Revolution design, the first helmet using new technology developed with the intent of reducing the risk of concussion. Shoulder pads, football and baseball uniforms are also part of Riddell's athletic gear, along with a line of quality collectibles ranging from standard size football helmets to miniatures and even display cases. Today the company is indelibly associated with football.
THE TRILOGY COLLECTION
B
ut it was back in 1996 when Riddell's licensing segment, which allows third-parties to market certain products using the company's trademark, became responsible for the production of small scaled Star Wars helmets, one of the best, yet overlooked line of collectibles in the Star Wars community.
A
lthough considered a flash in the pan, since only five different pieces were mass produced, the Star Wars mini helmets set a statement in proper design, attention to detail and exact miniaturized reproduction. There's no doubt when compared to similar items from Don Post Studios, Riddell put the competition to shame.
U
nfortunately their price point, set at around $75.00 to $90.00, did not allow for positive sales. Despite the magnificent quality of the pieces, the high price stopped the
line from ever taking off. Demand became nonexistent, and a trend of poor sales
began. Had the initial SRP price been lower, sales would have definitely been much better and the
line would have stayed alive.
I
n an effort to get rid of their non-selling stock, Riddell ended up wholesaling
all the helmets out for about $1.00 a piece! In 2001 great deals emerged and the once so expensive helmets sold
for practically mere pocket change.
B
rick and mortar stores such as Meijers had them on sale for $30.00 each. Online retailers like KBToys liquidated some of these helmets for around $25.00 or less. And they even showed up at weird places such as
SportsmansGuide.com for under $20.00.
T
he five Star Wars helmets produced by Riddell were:
O
nce prices dropped and demand increased, the helmets slowly vanished. While the Vader and Threepio helmets were available online until recently, the Fett and X-wing disappeared from stores almost as soon as sales went on, and the Stormtrooper helmet was hardly ever seen.
N
owadays they have gained great value in the secondary market. Sales on the Stormtrooper
helmet usually go over the $200.000 mark, followed closely by the X-Wing and Fett's topping $120.00 to $75.00 respectively.
O
f significant interest, although considered by most collectors not part of the Line, was the
TIE Fighter Pilot helmet. Because sales were not what Riddell hoped, it was scrapped in its final production sample stage. Its name, though, did appear as part of the list of helmets included on the information request card for future releases that was inserted in the boxes. Many people frantically looked for this helmet before knowing its production had been ceased. Would had this piece received mass production status, certainly it would had become a most welcoming addition to the
line.
I
had the great opportunity of being able to get in touch with Chris Reiff the helmets' designer, and in his own
words he had this comment to make about the
TIE helmet and the Line:
"
This was very close to going into production and got the plug pulled on it at the very last minute. I would have loved to see the line
continue! "
O
nly 6 painted prototype copies of the
TIE Fighter Pilot helmets were ever produced to be submitted for approval, just before the Line was axed. Even the Tech Sheet or blueprint (see actual
TIE Fighter Pilot helmet blueprint) showing interior components of the helmet was actually printed; one can clearly notice its complex internal mechanics. This small stock, was never made available for purchase. The designer had this to say:
"
... none of them are in the hands of private collectors. One is on loan to a friend for his museum of Star Wars product. The other 5 remain
secure. "
Finding one of these specimens
today can easily be considered a truly rare trophy, Don't you think?
DESIGNING A SMALL GALAXY:
CHRIS
REIFF AND SOEDA, INC
R
iddell was basically the brand name behind the Star Wars helmets. The meticulous design of these pieces should be attributed to none others than a designing company and its terrific designer. There were truly no shortcuts on their road to excellence. Perfect craftsmanship can be appreciated the minute we hold in our hands one of these small scale 1/4 replicas.
C
hris Reiff, talented Graphic Designer and Illustrator by education, initiated the project which was later on assigned to him at SOEDA, Inc., the designing company for which he works. SOEDA
(Swearingen, Osborne, Effler Design Associates) provides full range of product development services which include among many things, design, sculpting and production sourcing. SOEDA, Inc. is highly successful and experienced with youth oriented and licensed merchandise and it is well recognized as having a long tradition in the development of Star Wars product, which started years ago when Jim Swearingen pioneered the initial toy line at Kenner.
C
hris received design input and direction from others in the group and staff. A brilliant team effort where everyone contributed. The effort turned out being one of the most authentic pieces of Star Wars memorabilia ever created.
T
he helmets showed remarkably precise paint applications, weathering effects and all authentic details; nonetheless intricate internal gadgetry. Long lasting quality was guaranteed through the employment of top quality, durable materials such as cast metal, the thermoplastic ABS and Polycarbonate plastic.
A
s Chris Reiff himself points out:
"
... take a close look at the tech sheets in your helmets. You might notice my last name mixed in there in a place or two, lots of other little secrets in there as
well. "
PACKAGING, ACCESSORIES & STANDS
T
he presentation package was designed using three different colors: red, blue and purple over a galaxy background. As best described the box's graphics were as follows:
B
ack and left side: Oversized golden Star Wars logo, covering both sides. The words
" Trilogy Collection " were written in red letters and placed over the Star Wars logo. Below it were the words "Authentic Miniature
Helmets."
R
ight Side: Shows short description of the character and features of the given helmet, along with a full shot of the character on its lower right corner.
T
op: The flapped top presented a close-up shot of the helmet, its name and Star Wars logo.
F
ront: An actual photograph of the helmet inside, its name, features and the Star Wars logo.
T
he helmets were covered in a plastic wrap and properly embedded inside Styrofoam molds, assuring minimal damage in transportation.
I
nside each boxed, a white envelope was provided. Printed on it were the words:
"
STAR WARS collector's information inside"
Each envelope contained the following:
-
A
Certificate of Authenticity, signed by Howard Roffman- VP Lucasfilm Licensing.
-
T
echnical Data Blueprint, detailing all helmet parts.
-
A
sheet clearly describing assembly and/or any given features.
-
A
n information request card for future releases.
Each Trilogy helmet was accessorized with:
A
removable, round shaped black metal stand. By inserting the ball shaped end of the stand inside each helmet's neck, and pushing firmly against it, an internal socket with prongs expands, accepting the ball. Not only
does this system secure the helmets from falling but it also provides a swiveling effect. Each stand is hot stamped with either an Imperial or Rebel logo, depending on the helmet's origin.
HELMETS: A CLOSE UP LOOK
E
ach helmet, without going overboard, is a work of art on its own. Chris Reiff's designs not only
could easily serve as focal points in any collection but also as true examples of extraordinary
attention to detail in a space saving, properly constructed collectible.
T
he following are descriptions of each of the five helmets as per written on their boxes. To some
extent I have added names of certain helmet components or enhanced certain areas of these
descriptions.
Continue
to Part 2
©
Julian H. Betancourt, 2004 Sandtroopers.com
All Images
and Layouts © and ™ Sandtroopers.com, and cannot be reproduced without the
express written permission of Sandtroopers.com. Sandtroopers.com exclusive pictures cannot be duplicated without proper consent.
E-mail jason@sandtroopers.com
with requests.
|
