I was reading about how soldiers used to rub soap on gas masks to stop fogging or stuff their helmets with straw for "cushioning." Genuinely, did this actually work or was it just massive cope for people who knew they were about to die in a trench? It feels like half of military history is just people doing random arts and crafts projects and hoping it stops a sword. Is there any real physical proof that straw helps with impact, or were they just basically wearing a very uncomfortable, itchy hat for no reason? Or did they just not have anything better to do while waiting to get charged by cavalry?