The history of Virginia Tech's Helmet Lab with Stefan Duma

Stefan Duma joined Virginia Tech’s “Curious Conversations” to talk about the history of the Virginia Tech Helmet Lab and the impact it has had on sports-related head injuries. He shared how a military research conference led him to study helmets, as well as the critical role the lab’s relationships with the Virginia Tech football and sports medicine programs have played in advancing this pioneering research. Duma discussed the role of the helmet lab in helping to create a greater awareness about head injuries throughout all sports, and described the helmet shell add-on fans can witness during the football team’s spring game on April 13. About Duma Duma is a University Distinguished Professor and the Harry C. Wyatt Professor of Engineering in the Department of Biomedical Engineering and Mechanics. He is also the director of the Institute for Critical Technology and Applied Sciences and the founder of the Helmet Lab.  Chapters 00:30 -- From Automobile Safety to Military Research 01:29 -- Instrumenting Football Helmets 04:00 -- Collaboration with Virginia Tech Football 05:09 -- Helmet Ratings and Impact 07:44 -- Impact on Consumer Decisions 09:07 -- Testing and Rating Process 10:06 -- Partnership with NCAA 11:54 -- Shell Covers for Player Protection 13:30 -- Contact Time in Practice 15:20 -- Reducing Head Impacts in Youth Football 16:19 -- Increased Awareness of Concussions