What on earth is going on at NaNoWriMo HQ? Here's a high level summary compiled by an anonymous community member.
Viking helmet
A Viking helmet is a horned helmet, sometimes with fur at the bottom of the horns. While Vikings didn't wear these helmets in battle, it's possible that the horned helmets did appear in ritual ceremonies [2]. Despite this, the image of Vikings wearing horned helmets in battle persists today.
The Viking helmet has been a symbol of NaNoWriMo since 2008, NaNo's tenth year. That year Graham Dobson designed a new shirt for NaNoWriMo featuring a Viking helmet on top of a shield. This logo was featured on the 2008 merchandise and became the NaNoWriMo logo. That year (and every year since) donors who donate $2500 and become a NaNoWriMo Happily-Ever-After at the Donation Station receive their own plastic Viking helmet. The Night of Writing Dangerously attendee who writes the most words during the event also receive a Viking helmet.
Viking helmets also present at OLL Board of Directors meetings. Board members indicate their willingness to pass a motion by donning their viking helmet[1]. They can also serve as a writing totem; in No Plot? No Problem! NaNoWriMo founder Chris Baty cited using a Viking helmet for complicated passages.[2]
