Ned Kelly was a notorious bushranger in the 1870s. He famously wore a suit of armor made from metal plates and leather, which he and his gang fashioned themselves. This "suit of armor" was actually more of a protective vest and helmet, but it still made him very difficult to bring down.
While it's debated whether the armor was truly effective in stopping bullets, it certainly served as a psychological deterrent and gave Ned Kelly a formidable and intimidating appearance.