gas mask 23 by Articles Uncovered
Published Date: 06/09/08
Gas Mask
It is a sad fact that our society needs to protect itself against toxic warfare. The gas mask has a long history, developing from basic models to more sophisticated versions over the years. There are different types of mask that use different methods to extract pollutants from the air. Alexander von Humboldt invented the first one in the late 1800s. This was not for military use but for miners to wear when working underground.
The use of poison gas attacks in the trenches during World War I necessitated the need for an efficient gas mask design to protect against chlorine gas and other forms. Today, masks have been devised to deal with radioactive dust from nuclear weapons and the modern breed of chemical and biological weapons, although these can only protect to a degree. The contemporary gas mask sometimes incorporates respiration tubes and communicators.
World War II made use of protective masks too for people in the armed forces and for civilians on the home front. Great Britain, America and Europe all used posters, pamphlets and advertising to get the message to the public about the need for wearing a gas mask. Britain suffered daily bombing raids and adults and children were issued with masks that they were supposed to take everywhere including to the air raid shelter when the siren sounded. Even babies were given their own gas mask.
Both the Allies and the Axis governments gave information on what to do and how to wear the mask in the event of a poison attack. There were propaganda posters from all factions, including Italy, Japan, Finland, Latvia and Russia. A British poster proclaimed, Hitler will send no warning - so always carry your gas mask. An American poster announced, America needs your scrap rubber and shows four pictures of items needing rubber; a gas mask, life raft, jeep vehicle and a bomber aeroplane. A German poster has a matter of fact statement, saying the correctly fitted mask protects your health.
Different manufacturing companies also promoted their masks on advertisements. The British Ministry of Home Security liased with tobacco companies and produced a series of cigarette trading cards with air raid and gas mask public information messages. In view of the current tense situation regarding the threat of terrorism, there is a fear of chemical or biological weapons being released by a terrorist group. Hopefully, there will not be a need for the gas mask to make an appearance again.
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