I forget what year but when the Bell cycling helmet first came to market, I purchased one. It was a white plastic shell, NO VENTS, red reflective stripes, Styrofoam lined with taped on sponge strips. Wore it once and never again. Hairnets were still the one bike shops sold! The heck with safety, they were light and breathed rather well. I toured wearing a safety 'yellow' Clement cycling cap- lol. Only when I first got into the mtn. bike (late 1980's) did get serious about wearing a cycling helmet.

(edit: the old Bell as depicted on the left)