1. Body Protection Submitted to: Mr. Bruce Dalzell Submitted By: Tony Gillis November 18 th, 2007 Physics 12

2. History Humans have been protecting themselves for thousands of years. As the discovery of how to forge metals came, so did the advancement in body armour. Firearms are invented. Body armour becomes obsolete. Kevlar is invented and body armour makes its return.

3. Kevlar Kevlar was invented by accident. Ten-thirty layers of kevlar are usually used to stop a bullet. Kevlar is very lightweight and flexible. Kevlar often causes blunt trauma which can be fatal. Most kevlar only protects against low velocity firearms.

4. Limited Protection All vests only offer limited protection. Many vests come with ceramic inserts. Many vests will do nothing to stop a high powered rifle round. Mobility of the person is a necessity. Concealment of the vest is also very important.

5. Armour in the World Wars Armour did not play a significant role in either of the World Wars. Helmets were basically the only protection that solders had. Flak jackets were worn by aircrews.

6. Current Armour being used The Americans are using the interceptor vests. The Canadian Forces are using fragmentation vests. Most enemies faced by the American ’ s have no protection at all. Some special forces units use elite body armour that costs a lot of money.

7. In Development There are a couple of types of body armour currently in development, or are not yet widely known. Liquid Body armour is one of these. Dragon Skin is another.

8. Helmets Most major armies are issued a kevlar helmet. Can stop low velocity firearms and shrapnel. Can deflect high velocity rife rounds.

9. Bibliography http://inventors.about.com/od/bstartinventions/a/Body_Armor.htm [brief history of body armour] http://inventors.about.com/od/bstartinventions/a/Body_Armor.htm http://www.artofchainmail.com/history.html [brief history of body armour] http://www.artofchainmail.com/history.html http://www.historyworld.net/wrldhis/PlainTextHistories.asp?historyid=aa89 [detailed history of arms and armour] http://www.historyworld.net/wrldhis/PlainTextHistories.asp?historyid=aa89 http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/library/report/1988/CJ2.htm [body armour used in the World Wars] http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/library/report/1988/CJ2.htm http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Casimir_Zeglen [info on Casimir Zeglen] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Casimir_Zeglen http://www.tech-faq.com/inventor-of-the-bullet-proof-vest.shtml [info on inventers of bulletproof vests and brief history] http://www.tech-faq.com/inventor-of-the-bullet-proof-vest.shtml http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Body_armour [wikipedia on body armour] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Body_armour http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kevlar [wikipedia on kevlar] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kevlar http://www.wisegeek.com/how-does-body-armor-work.htm [how body armour works] http://www.wisegeek.com/how-does-body-armor-work.htm http://galls.co.nz/uni/bodyarmor.htm [ “ how to choose and use ballistic vests ” ] http://galls.co.nz/uni/bodyarmor.htm http://www.darkage.co.uk/rpg/equip/clothing/armour.htm [info on common armours] http://www.darkage.co.uk/rpg/equip/clothing/armour.htm http://www.answers.com/topic/ballistic-vest [general info on ballistic armour] http://www.answers.com/topic/ballistic-vest http://science.howstuffworks.com/liquid-body-armor.htm [how liquid body armour works] http://science.howstuffworks.com/liquid-body-armor.htm http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KS0pSwdQfbY [Future Weapons- Dragon Skin Test] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KS0pSwdQfbY http://www.military.com/opinion/0,15202,78927,00.html [Column on Dragon Skin] http://www.military.com/opinion/0,15202,78927,00.html