We’ve told you about the Kranium helmet, made from cardboard, several times before, most recently when we reported from Eurobike that it was being included in the Abus 2013 range. Now you can check out a new video that explains the development of the helmet from initial idea through to production.
The Kranium was designed by London student Anirudha Surabhi after he was involved in a bike accident. Ani was wearing an expensive helmet at the time of the incident but he still suffered a concussion.
After first looking at anatomical features of the woodpecker, Ani came up with a new helmet design – nature often knows best. Rather than the usual expanded polystyrene, the Kranium is made from dual density honeycomb board which, in turn, is made from paper.

The claim is that the Kranium is lighter, stronger and safer than a standard helmet. Plus, the paper is recycled and it's produced without the use of electricity, so the helmet has some major green cred too.
This interesting video – 7mins long – tells the story of the Kranium from first sketch through to reality.
Ani has been travelling between the UK and China for the past few months in order to get the paper helmet produced, and it’s being made right now.
For more info go to www.kraniums.com.




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11 thoughts on “Kranium cardboard helmet goes into production + video”
Not to be worn in the rain,
Not to be worn in the rain, presumably.
Nick T wrote:Not to be worn
If you’d watched the video you’d see that the structure is covered by a plastic lid 😉
seanieh66 wrote:Nick T
Person 1 makes error due to not checking out the available content.
Person 1 then retracts error.
Person 2 notes that person 1 made an error due to not checking out the available content, and in doing so makes error due to not checking out the available content.
Lovely. 😀
That’ll learn me to post a
That’ll learn me to post a comment before watching. I do wonder how he’s waterproofed the cardboard though, there must be some chemicals involved there.
“…produced without the use
“…produced without the use of electricity…”
What do those laser cutters run on then?
Nick T wrote:”…produced
Probably the same stuff the lights in the studio do – magic moon beams and fairy dust.
Regardless of that – a nice product and a very interesting take on a design solution.
I wish him luck.
Nick T wrote:”…produced
If you slow down and actually read what is written, no-one says that the helmet is made without the use of electricity. The statement only relates to the recycled paper.
Check my second post
Check my second post 😉
I’m guessing the plastic
I’m guessing the plastic cover is melted over a fire before vacuum forming, and that the air is draw out by someone with a straw… Maybe the lights in the warehouse are all paraffin lamps?
Great product. I believe that
Great product. I believe that helmets need all to be like this but also with more protection and to look good. I have a road bike and think this looks more like it is for the bmx style rider.
vinnychoff
The base of the helmet is
The base of the helmet is still EPS though?