Foil caps — how they appeared and can they protect against radiation

The foil hat is a popular Internet meme inextricably linked to conspiracy theories. For an ordinary network user, this is a bearded, but still relevant joke, but for conspiracy theorists it is a real way to protect against cosmic rays, psychics, mind readers and control signals of reptilians. How did these hats appear and can they really protect, at least from anything?

It is known that in every joke there is only a fraction of a joke. This also applies to the notorious foil caps. They were invented in the second half of the 20th century... by doctors, and precisely to protect against radiation. In 1988, Israeli doctors used foil to protect the head from ceiling infrared emitters. To do this, they simply wrapped straw hats with this material.

Temperature measurements showed that the head under the usual cap of a doctor working under the radiator heats up to 52 degrees Celsius! In a cap made of foil and straw, the temperature did not rise above 37 degrees. It turns out that at least from the radiation of the infrared spectrum, such a headdress protects.

The foil has been studied quite well. It is known that it can partially block long, medium and ultrashort waves. But the waves of the ultra-long range successfully passes. But even to protect yourself from medium or ultrashort waves, you need to use several layers and apply them so that there is not the slightest gap.

If there is a hole in the cap, it will only enhance the effect of radiation. In 2005, a group of researchers studied such caps and came to an alarming conclusion. Improperly manufactured protection works as a radio wave amplifier. Even if the transmitting antenna is located at a great distance, the foil cap can amplify the signal at frequencies of 2.6, 1.2 and 1.5 GHz.

So the foil cap is effective only as a protection against infrared radiation. But it will not save you from telepaths, reptilians and cosmic rays. Moreover, an improperly manufactured device will only increase the impact and help the villains to read thoughts or suppress the will. It is quite possible that rumors about the miraculous properties of the foil are spread by its manufacturers.