The next innovation came probably in 1917 in the form of suspension: to "cradle" the skull away from the leather shell.

A fancier version featuring a leather shell, akin to what professional rodeo stars wear, starts at $309 for the basic black model.

The armament consisted of a spear, a steel shield, a helmet called a "Morion", a hilted sword, and sometimes a horse saddle with leather shell.

Horween Leather Company supplies leather shells for footwear to Allen Edmonds.

Horween Leather Company supplies leather shells for footwear to Brooks Brothers.

Horween Leather Company supplies leather shells for footwear to Cole Haan.

Though sweaty hands were a nuisance, the dark leather shells would darken his hands.

The ball has a "seam": six rows of stitches attaching the leather shell of the ball to the string and cork interior.

The woman was on her feet, and her hands attacked the demon's shiny black leather shell.

Other quibbles included over-complicated light switches and the irritating television, which took an age to emerge from its leather shell.