Protective garments and accessories rely on materials that allow them to perform as thicker skins or outer shells of the human body. The difference between ordinary sunglasses and laser-protection eyewear lies in the materials used, as does the difference between common rain boots and acid-resistant overshoes.

Depending on the type of protection needed, engineers and designers today have a whole range of customized combinations of materials at their disposal. Advances in technology have opened up many possibilities, especially with the introduction of insulating gels, fiber composites, and new materials such as Kevlar or Gore-tex.

This progress has made armor lighter and more flexible, allowing for more freedom of movement and agility -- an important feature when an emergency necessitates rapid escape. Moreover, the possibility of infusing the materials themselves with chemical properties has brought about antibacterial and SPF fabrics, to name just a few of the many areas of innovation.

Despite technological advances, nearly every example of man-made armor can be compared to one found in nature -- the shell of an insect, for instance, or the fur of a mountain animal. New materials that offer protection bring us closer than ever before to the efficiency of nature.

Armor Highlights  Click images for larger view in a new window.

As with shelter, armor can address physical or psychological needs and provide protection from many threats, such as the sun, mines, police batons, and bombs. Armor has historically embodied both craftsmanship and symbolism. Selected for the intensity and innovation of their designs, examples in this section include: