History Main / CollapsibleHelmet

* In the ''Series/{{Arrowverse}}'' crossover ''Series/CrisisOnEarthX'', Dark Arrow, Overgirl and Reverse-Flash's facemasks can dematerialize with the push of a button, as if they were holographic. This comes in handy for a DramaticUnmask when they reveal their faces to their {{Good Counterpart}}s.

** In ''Film/GuardiansOfTheGalaxy2014'', Peter Quill a.k.a. Star-Lord has a facemask which assembles bit by bit and disappears into a device behind his ear when he isn't using it.

** Rather downplayed in ''VideoGame/RatchetAndClank2002'': Ratchet's O2 Mask will automatically equip when needed, but it's not given bespoke animations and is more of an auto-equip.

** In ''Film/GuardiansOfTheGalaxy'', Peter Quill a.k.a. Star-Lord has a facemask which assembles bit by bit and disappears into a device behind his ear when he isn't using it.

** Isaac Clarke of ''VideoGame/DeadSpace2'' has various versions of his Resource Integration Gear ([[FunwithAcronyms RIG]]), all of which have one of these helmets that can fold away and be stored in his suit. Often however, the helmet appears to unfold at points where it would not necessarily be a good idea, for example, when Stross attacks Isaac. It's left ambiguous as to whether this is the result of a design flaw, [[DeathSeeker Isaac's own suicidal urges]], or a little bit of both.

** Rather downplayed in ''VideoGame/RatchetAndClank'': Ratchet's O2 Mask will automatically equip when needed, but it's not given bespoke animations and is more of an auto-equip.

** ''Film/SpiderManNoWayHome'': The collapsible nature of the Iron Spider nanotech armor becomes a plot point during the fight against Doctor Octopus. After ripping off the nanomachines covering Spider-Man's chest and integrating them in his tentacles, Doc Ock goes for a deadly strike to the heart. The Iron Spider armor reconfigures to provides protection, taking away the nanomachines constituting Spidey's mask in the process. This ends up as a DramaticUnmask for Octavius, who thus realizes that the superhero he's fighting is not "''his''" Peter Parker.

** Isaac Clarke of ''VideoGame/DeadSpace2'' has various versions of his Resource Integration Gear, all of which have one of these helmets that can fold away and be stored in his suit. Often however, the helmet appears to unfold at points where it would not necessarily be a good idea, for example, when Stross attacks Isaac. It's left ambiguous as to whether this is the result of a design flaw, [[DeathSeeker Isaac's own suicidal urges]], or a little bit of both.

Picture the scene, the hero (or villain) is wearing their PoweredArmor or other such suit. And then they reveal themselves with an unbelievably cool helmet that just slides, clicks, folds and does all manner of other mechanical origami.

* ''Anime/GargantiaOnTheVerdurousPlanet'': Downplayed with main character Ledo's helmet which folds backwards becoming slightly more compact but still highly visible when not in use.

* ''VideoGame/ImmortalsFenyxRising'' uses a magical variant that's used for cutscenes. It's notably timed so it feels like it was always a part of the scene, such as Fenyx equipping it as she braces for the start of a battle well before the scene has actually ended.

* In the ''WesternAnimation/{{Wakfu}}'' [=OVAs=], Count Harebourg's Xelor mask folds open or closes automatically when he wishes so, along with a block of ice encasing it that he removes or forms with his cold powers.

[[folder:Web Comics]]

%%* The version of [[Comicbook/AntMan Hank Pym]] from ''WesternAnimation/TheAvengersEarthsMightiestHeroes'' has one of these.

* ''VideoGame/MassEffect'' has helmets like this on all armor. Mostly it's noticeable for having it only seal when entering hostile environments while still having a faceplate that stays up, but if you want to more easily see characters' faces you can set it to fully retract during dialog.

** Downplayed in ''VideoGame/RatchetAndClankGoingCommando'', where Ratchet's Commando helmet has a retractable oxygen mask that extends in certain locations ingame where breathable air isn't abundant, such as in the vaccum of space, underwater, and at high altitudes.
** In ''VideoGame/RatchetDeadlocked'', the helmet on Ratchet's suit will collapse during cutscenes when he's not actively shooting something. When the shooting is about to begin again, it goes right back on.
** ''VideoGame/RatchetAndClankIntoTheNexus'' features the return of this feature, this time transforming during gameplay rather than cutscenes.

It operates by using AppliedPhlebotinum, FunctionalMagic, storing components in {{Hammerspace}}, through ImpossiblyCompactFolding, or maybe just a HandWave. However it works, this helmet can fold or vanish into the armor as if it no longer existed. When needed again, it can be summoned back in the blink of the eye.

The helmet often seems to activate without any apparent interaction or input from the wearer, it just extends or collapses with minimal fuss whenever the situation demands. Very handy for a DramaticUnmask.

Picture the scene, the hero (or indeed villain) is wearing their PoweredArmor or other such suit. And then they reveal themselves with an unbelievably cool helmet that just slides, clicks, folds and does all manner of other mechanical origami.

Through some AppliedPhlebotinum, this helmet can usually fold into the armor as if no longer existing. When needed again, it can be summoned back in the blink of the eye.

The helmets often appear to not need any human interaction, and they usually just fold open with the minimum of fuss. Very handy for a DramaticUnmask.

Even if possible in RealLife, this would probably be a bad idea. The multiple moving parts would certainly weaken the helmet and compromise its protectiveness in a fight or a crash -- breaking into pieces is exactly what you want a helmet ''not'' to do. Also, you wouldn't want to accidentally hit the switch at the wrong time. Nor catch your hair in the closing mechanism -- or your nose. Thus, this trope is AwesomeButImpractical, with its impracticality overlooked in fiction thanks to the RuleOfCool.

A subtrope of CoolHelmet and CoolMask. Also a minor form of InstantArmor and TechnologyPorn. Compare with RetractableWeapon.

* In the ''Series/{{Arrowverse}}'' crossover ''Series/CrisisOnEarthX'', Dark Arrow, Overgirl and Reverse-Flash's facemasks can dematerialize with the push of a button, as if they were holographic. This come handy for a DramaticUnmask when they reveal their faces to their {{Good Counterpart}}s.

*** Cyborg can fully cover his head, specially when he flies to high altitudes, likely in order to protect what's left of organic in his face.

* In the ''Series/{{Arrowverse}}'' crossover ''Series/CrisisOnEarthX'', Dark Arrow, Overgirl and Reverse-Flash's facemasks can dematerialize with the push of a button, as if they were holographic. This come handy for a DramaticUnmask when they reveals their faces to their {{Good Counterpart}}s.

* ''WesternAnimation/TheLEGOMovie2TheSecondPart'': Rex Dangervest's spacesuit helmet splits in half and folds away when he introduces himself.

*** Cyborg can fully cover his face, specially when he flies to high altitudes, likely in order to protect what's left of organic in his face.

* The {{Powered Armor}}s used by the protagonists of ''Webcomic/SchlockMercenary'' have collapsible helmets. Of course the armors themselves look like normal SpaceClothes. Especially good soldiers deploy their helmets instinctually or reflexively at [[https://www.schlockmercenary.com/2012-10-14 the first sign of enemy action]]. Especially good or expensive armor deploys a helmet automatically upon sensing common signifiers of enemy action, but against some kinds of enemy action, that [[https://www.schlockmercenary.com/2012-06-01 might not be fast enough]]...

[[folder:Eastern Animation]]
* ''Animation/IronKid'': Violeta encases her face in a collapsible mask when fighting in order to protect her facial components and look cool.
[[/folder]]

* ComicBook/IronMan's helmet, like the rest of his armor, can be collapsed in different ways. Traditionally, it could be depolarized, becoming like cloth (much like Nova's helmet above) for storage in his briefcase. Since implementing a facemask with his first red-and-gold armor, it can usually be flipped up over his head as well (or, in the case of the Silver Centurion armor, flipped up and ''into'' the helmet). And, of course, more recent developments have allowed the helmet (and the rest of the armor) to collapse into ''himself'' when not in use.

Even if possible in RealLife, this would probably be a bad idea. The multiple moving parts would certainly weaken the helmet and compromise its protectiveness in a fight or a crash -- breaking into pieces is exactly what you want a helmet ''not'' to do. Also, you wouldn't want to accidentally hit the switch at the wrong time and catch your hair in the closing mechanism. Or your nose. Thus, this trope is AwesomeButImpractical, with its impracticality overlooked thanks to RuleOfCool.

Even if it could be done in RealLife, this would probably still be a bad idea. The multiple moving parts would certainly weaken the helmet and compromise its protective value in a fight or a crash. Not to mention you wouldn't want to accidentally hit the switch at the wrong time. Or for some stray hair to get caught between two pieces. Thus, this trope falls fully under AwesomeButImpractical.

* While a full-head helmet is still beyond RealLife, folding bike helmets are beginning to hit the market (mostly in Europe). These are mostly three piece designs with sides that fold or slid into the larger center piece making up the Front, top, and back of the helmet. [[http://www.dahon.com/accessories/2010/pango-folding-helmet A four-piece design can be found here.]]

* While a full-realization of this trope in RealLife is generally regarded as too AwesomeButImpractical to do, {{downplayed|Trope}} versions of this trope have been historically common. Many feudal cultures have developed military helmets with lower-able visors, removable masks, or attachable chain-mail so the warrior wearing it could adjust their degree of protection, visibility, and intimation depending on the needs of the particular situation.

* [[https://youtu.be/UgTxwDmbvMo Ollie's Things]] made a 3D printed collapsible helmet inspired by ''Film/LostInSpace'', and [[https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:4840980 the model files are available to download]].