Body Armor by Generations

As with ammunition designed to defeat it, body armor evolution can be described by notional generations.

Generation 1 represented by various steel armors of varying strength, it starts way before WW1, when first mass-produced bulletproof armor produced.

Generation 2 is marked by appearance of materials like Doron Laminate and ballistic nylon. Armor typically only pistol-rated and flak-proof. Ceramic armor also appeared, but not became widespread.

Generation 3 is when Ceramic armor plates became widespread, and kevlar with polyethylene replace ballistic nylon as soft armor.

Generation 4 is an era of mass-issued rifle-rated ceramic armor, which can handle even specifically-designed armor-penetrating rounds. New materials for soft armor also appears - from flawed Zylon to promising M5 fiber.

At Generation 5 one might expect lightweight .50 cal-rated hard plates and .30-cal AP-proof bodysuits...