T. E. Lawrence (also known as Lawrence of Arabia) had a crash on a Brough Superior SS100 on a narrow road near his cottage near Wareham. The accident occurred because a dip in the road obstructed his view of two boys on bicycles. Swerving to avoid them, Lawrence lost control and was thrown over the handlebars. He was not wearing a helmet, and suffered serious head injuries which left him in a coma; he died after six days in hospital
One of the doctors attending him was the neurosurgeon Hugh Cairns, who consequently began a long study of what he saw as the unnecessary loss of life by motorcycle despatch riders through head injuries. Cairns research led to the use of crash helmets by both military and civilian motorcyclists.
Imagine that? First those Brits claim the Jack Daniels recipe. Now we find out it was a Brit who started helmet laws. Next they'll try to claim they once ruled over us Americuns.
