Back in the late 1960s when this modern era of hot air ballooning was in its infancy, pilots all wore helmets whilst flying and you would be forgiven for assuming they were for protection when landing. But it wasn't from coming into contact with solid objects on the ground, it was to prevent injury from the burner hitting you on the head. When the basket hits the ground it stops, but the balloon (and burner) continues downwards until something stops it, and the first thing the burner hits is your head!
Cue the 'flexi rigid' - those four poles at each corner of the basket which support the burner. A valuable and popular innovation.
The helmet was donated to the BBM&L by Jean Ray, the first wife of the late (and much-missed) Joe Philp and she asked her favourite pilots to sign it. You can learn the names of those lucky pilots on the website entry.