The first testicular guard, the "Cup," was used in Hockey in 1874 and the first helmet was used in 1974.
 
That means it only took 100 years for men to realize that their brain is also important.

Hard to imagine that even Goalies didn't have any protection - until 59, when the late great Jacques Plante received a puck in the face and decided to get back on the ice wearing a prototype mask he'd been using for practices (but had been forbidden to put on during actual games).
 

 
I do remember guys without helmet, even well into the eighties. Heck, even when the helmet became standard, guys who wore the hockey visor to protect their eyes used to get ripped on.
 
But no one mess w/ the cup. :P

 
Similar story in cricket Craig.
 
Batsmen have worn leg 'pads' and a 'box' (= cup) for ever, but it's only been in the last 30 years that helmets have become popular.
 
Thankfully, wearing a helmet is now compulsory for youngsters.
 
 

I think it's a case of deciding what you're willing to live without.

UbiquitousBubba
I think it's a case of deciding what you're willing to live without.

As history has proven, it's apparent that this is a no-brainer.

craigb
The first testicular guard, the "Cup," was used in Hockey in 1874 and the first helmet was used in 1974.
 
That means it only took 100 years for hockey-playing men to realize that their brain is also important.

Clarified.

Welp...that'd be a demi-tasse cup for myownself.  Espresso, anyone??

Wait - you mean my cup doesn't protect my brain? 

yorolpal
Welp...that'd be a demi-tasse cup for myownself.  Espresso, anyone??

Your cup doth not floweth over then

You should have seen Stanley's original cup!