The history and evolution of the gas masks.
The gas mask is a mask used to protect the user from inhaling airborne pollutants and toxic gases. It forms a sealed cover over the nose and mouth, but may also cover the eyes and other vulnerable soft tissues of the face. Some gas masks are also respirator.
The word gas mask is often used to refer to military equipment where you can find that most gas mask filters will last around 24 hours in an NBC (nuclear biological chemical) situation.
The gas mask has evolved hundreds of times to be more perfect than the previous; starting from ancient Greece c. 800 BC till the present day where modern technology aids the design of the mask as much as possible. Below is brief timeline of the evolution of the gas mask.
The gas mask is a mask used to protect the user from inhaling airborne pollutants and toxic gases. It forms a sealed cover over the nose and mouth, but may also cover the eyes and other vulnerable soft tissues of the face. Some gas masks are also respirator.
The word gas mask is often used to refer to military equipment where you can find that most gas mask filters will last around 24 hours in an NBC (nuclear biological chemical) situation.
The gas mask has evolved hundreds of times to be more perfect than the previous; starting from ancient Greece c. 800 BC till the present day where modern technology aids the design of the mask as much as possible. Below is brief timeline of the evolution of the gas mask.
![Picture](/uploads/4/0/2/8/40287079/1307866.jpg?174)
"The common sponge was used in ancient Greece as a gas mask, a compress, a contraceptive – and, of course, for bathing."
![Picture](/uploads/4/0/2/8/40287079/1135623.jpg?205)
Banū Mūsā Gas Mask, c. 850 A.D
This gas mask was designed by the Banu Musa brothers in Baghdad, Iraq to protect workers working in polluted wells. The device was mentioned in the brothers book "Book of Ingenious Devices" that describes 100 inventions.
This gas mask was designed by the Banu Musa brothers in Baghdad, Iraq to protect workers working in polluted wells. The device was mentioned in the brothers book "Book of Ingenious Devices" that describes 100 inventions.
Plague Doctor's Mask The bird-like beak mask was often filled with sweet or strong smelling herbs or spices – lavender, mint, camphor or dried roses. They've believed it would banish the evil smells. | |
![Picture](/uploads/4/0/2/8/40287079/9753751.jpg?168)
Alexander von Humboldt's mask, 1799
It was the first device with respirator, invented for miners by a Prussian mining official Alexander von Humboldt.
It was the first device with respirator, invented for miners by a Prussian mining official Alexander von Humboldt.
![Picture](/uploads/4/0/2/8/40287079/25457.jpg?209)
A smoke protecting apparatus for firemen by John and Charles Deane, 1823
In the early 1820s John Deane have seen a burning stable with trapped horses in it. To get through the smoke and rescue all the horses he put on an old knight-in-armor helmet air-pumped by a hose from a fire brigade water pump. The saving was successful, and in 1823 John and Charles Deane have invented the Smoke Helmet:
"An apparatus or machine to be worn by persons entering rooms or other places filled with smoke or other vapour, for the purpose of extinguishing fire or extricating persons or property therein." - John Deane
The device was a single copper helmet with a long leather hose attached to the rear. A long leather hose was attached to the rear. Five years later it was converted for underwater use.
In the early 1820s John Deane have seen a burning stable with trapped horses in it. To get through the smoke and rescue all the horses he put on an old knight-in-armor helmet air-pumped by a hose from a fire brigade water pump. The saving was successful, and in 1823 John and Charles Deane have invented the Smoke Helmet:
"An apparatus or machine to be worn by persons entering rooms or other places filled with smoke or other vapour, for the purpose of extinguishing fire or extricating persons or property therein." - John Deane
The device was a single copper helmet with a long leather hose attached to the rear. A long leather hose was attached to the rear. Five years later it was converted for underwater use.
![Picture](/uploads/4/0/2/8/40287079/7879037.jpg?215)
Lewis Haslett: "Inhaler or Lung Protector", 1847, patented in 1849
It allowed breathing through a nose or mouthpiece fitted with two one-way clapper walves. The filter was made of wool or other porous substances with water could keeping out dust.
It allowed breathing through a nose or mouthpiece fitted with two one-way clapper walves. The filter was made of wool or other porous substances with water could keeping out dust.
![Picture](/uploads/4/0/2/8/40287079/197623.jpg?199)
The charcoal air-filter of John Stenhouse, 1854 (patented in 1860 and 1867)
In the copper-framed mask there was powdered wood charcoal between the two hemispheres. The charcoal could be replaced through a small door in the wire gauze.
In the copper-framed mask there was powdered wood charcoal between the two hemispheres. The charcoal could be replaced through a small door in the wire gauze.
![Picture](/uploads/4/0/2/8/40287079/2180254.jpg?282)
Samuel Barton's respirators, 1874
This respirator had rubber-and-metal face cover, glass eyepieces, rubber-coated hood and a metal canister on the front of the mask contained lime, glycerin-soaked cotton wool and charcoal.
This respirator had rubber-and-metal face cover, glass eyepieces, rubber-coated hood and a metal canister on the front of the mask contained lime, glycerin-soaked cotton wool and charcoal.
![Picture](/uploads/4/0/2/8/40287079/1063661.jpg?295)
Fleuss Apparatus, 1878
The rubberised mask covered the whole face was connected via tubes to a breathing bag.
The rubberised mask covered the whole face was connected via tubes to a breathing bag.
![Picture](/uploads/4/0/2/8/40287079/5280671.jpg?223)
Loeb's Respirator, 1891
The German Bernhard Loeb's protective equipment had a triple-chambered metal canister that was attached directly to the closed helmet.
The German Bernhard Loeb's protective equipment had a triple-chambered metal canister that was attached directly to the closed helmet.
![Picture](/uploads/4/0/2/8/40287079/8254533.jpg?221)
Muntz Respirator, 1902
The proper duckface from the first years of the 20th century is a full head-covering mask with a sponge- and a carbon-based filter.
The proper duckface from the first years of the 20th century is a full head-covering mask with a sponge- and a carbon-based filter.
| Hypo helmet or British Smoke Hood, 1915 Constructed by Dr. Cluny MacPherson of Royal Newfoundland Regiment after he saw a German putting a bag over his head after a gas attack. The Hypo helmet contained glycerin and sodium thiosulphate that protected against chlorine. Two and a half million had been made. |
![Picture](/uploads/4/0/2/8/40287079/5365557.jpg?184)
Three workers demonstrating the different types of gas masks used in mine rescue work, 1925
![Picture](/uploads/4/0/2/8/40287079/5587644.jpg?210)
Dustbowl masks, c. 1935
Three girls modelling various dustbowl masks to be worn in areas where the amount of dust in the air causes breathing difficulties, circa 1935.
Three girls modelling various dustbowl masks to be worn in areas where the amount of dust in the air causes breathing difficulties, circa 1935.
![Picture](/uploads/4/0/2/8/40287079/2632479.jpg?157)
Finnish civilian gas mask from 1939
![Picture](/uploads/4/0/2/8/40287079/8242111.jpg?211)
Gas Protection, 1941
Three air raid wardens wearing a new type of gas mask, designed for the elderly and those with chest complaints, during a mock gas attack in which tear gas was released in Esher High Street on 5th April 1941.
Three air raid wardens wearing a new type of gas mask, designed for the elderly and those with chest complaints, during a mock gas attack in which tear gas was released in Esher High Street on 5th April 1941.
![Picture](/uploads/4/0/2/8/40287079/4367269.jpg?242)
Mickey Mouse Gas Mask, 1942
These gas masks were produced by the Sun Rubber Products Company from early 1942, with Walt Disney's approval to protect children in case of an American chemical attack.
These gas masks were produced by the Sun Rubber Products Company from early 1942, with Walt Disney's approval to protect children in case of an American chemical attack.
![Picture](/uploads/4/0/2/8/40287079/9359441.jpg?223)
A Member Of The U.S. Air Force 51St Security Forces Squadron Talks On The Radio Through His Chemical/Biological Protective Mask, January 6, 1999
All this information and pictures are from the Illustrated History of the Gas Mask. http://io9.com/an-illustrated-history-of-gas-masks-504296785