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In this episode of The Fog of War and Humanity on hmTv, host Richard Acritelli welcomes back military historian and collector Tom Spier for Part 1 of an in-depth exploration of Cold War combat helmets. From battered Soviet models used in the Finnish Winter War to the iconic American M1 “steel pot” and the Kevlar PASGT that reshaped modern protection, Tom walks us through the evolution of design, technology, and battlefield necessity. Along the way, he shares stories of his decades-long collecting journey, with a personal archive of nearly 400 helmets that reflect both allies and adversaries of the 20th century.

This fascinating discussion reveals how helmets not only protected soldiers but also symbolized entire eras of global conflict, from World War II through Afghanistan and the height of the Cold War.

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