Syracuse Sun

A display of helmets designed by Bert Straus, a 1959 alumnus of the School of Design, is currently featured at the Nancy Cantor Warehouse. The exhibit honors Straus for his innovative contributions to headwear and protective sports equipment.

Straus's inspiration came from witnessing a helmet-to-helmet collision during a televised sports game. He envisioned a giant pillow inserted at the helmet’s point of contact, leading him to sketch a concept that covered the helmet’s outer surface with a urethane foam shell. After prototyping and testing, this idea evolved into the ProCap.

“The idea that we show just a glimpse of his work in the window vitrine looking out onto West Fayette Street was the impetus for this display,” said Don Carr, professor of industrial and interaction design in the College of Visual and Performing Arts’ School of Design. “As a graduate of the ID [industrial design] program from the class of 1959, he was able to share with us examples of amazing work from each decade, which we’ve displayed as a baseline for the installation.”

The exhibition showcases various iterations of Straus's designs. “The first changes were driven by aesthetics,” Straus recalled. “It’s difficult for a designer to admit, but ProCap I was ugly. Working with the [Buffalo] Bills, I came up with ProCap II.”

Straus continued to refine his designs based on industry needs. When there was demand for a vented version, he developed ProCap III. Subsequent updates incorporated styling trends and integrated soft-shell technology into full helmet designs.

“The latest change was … prompted by the need to effectively protect against glancing blows that promote rotational accelerations, recognized as the cause of half the concussions suffered on the field,” explained Straus.

The display will be available through mid-October at 350 W. Fayette St., offering more insights into Straus's work.

Straus plans to visit Syracuse University this fall to meet students and discuss their design aspirations. “I also look forward to answering whatever questions they might have,” he noted. “Both the students and I have this rare opportunity to collectively look at our profession over a seven-decade span.”

Story by Mikayla Heiss