
They improved on the design used during the First World War and made it more comfortable for individuals to wear it. The US Army Chemical Warfare Service worked to develop the modern gas masks. Since animals were commonly used during the First World War, gas masks were also designed to protect dogs and horses. Cluny MacPherson enhanced Haldane's device. John Scott Haldane improved on the filter used by the Allied troops at the time to develop the Black Veil Respirator. Immediately after the use of the gas, the Allied forces made use of cotton wool to protect them from the gas. When the Germans used poisonous gas in 1915, the gas masks became an essential component of the war. His invention paved the way for the creation of gas masks used during the First World War. In 1914, Garrett Morgan patented his 1912 invention, the Safety Hood and Smoke Protector, a device which allowed the user to breathe clean air along the floor and had moist sponges to improve the quality of inhaled air. John Stenhouse, a Scottish chemist, constructed early versions of the device following Haslett's design. The device also had a vent through which air was released back to the atmosphere. His invention worked through the use of a bulb-shaped filter to sieve dust from the inhaled air. He was the first person in the US to receive a patent for a gas mask. Haslett, an American engineer, created a device in 1847 that resembled modern-day gas masks.

Alexander von Humboldt, a Prussian mining engineer, developed a primitive respirator to assist miners working in deep mines. In Persia, the Banu Musa brothers developed a primitive gas mask in the 9th century, and its primary purpose was to offer protection to people working in polluted wells. The Ancient Greeks were the first civilization to utilize gas mask they made use of the properties of the ordinary sponge as a primitive gas mask. Gas masks do not offer protection from corrosive gas which requires the user to wear protective clothing. Gas masks are fitted with filters each made to protect against a different toxin or group of toxins. Gas masks have evolved to protect the wearer from both gaseous and particulate toxins. Gas masks usually cover the mouth and the nose to protect the individual from airborne hazards, however, most gas masks now safeguard vulnerable tissues such as the eyes.
Gas mask ww1 how to#
Usually in the box there was a pamphlet explaining how to use the mask.The gas mask is an invention developed to protect individuals from toxins and poisonous substances that are in the air. The mask came in a box made of metal or canvas covered wood that featured the very well known text: " Chi si leva la maschera muore, tenetela sempre con voi", that means "whoever takes off the mask dies, always keep it with you". Polivalente Z with the classic text visible Because of that high price, many soldiers were equipped with the cheaper Polivalente Z, competent enough to be able to protect from all gasses used in the war, even if for a short period. When the filter ran out, the mask was shipped back to England, where the filter would be replaced and then the kit would be sold again for the same price as before. The cost was very high compared to previous designs the Army used, circa 1 £ for each mask. In 1917 Edward Harrison invented the small box respirator, which was adopted by all allied forces. Meanwhile, the french M2 was used because of the better protective ability against phosgene. Since 1915, many designs where tried, but the italian General Staff's negligence held back the research.
Gas mask ww1 skin#
Italian soldier wearing the polivalente ZĪfter the introduction of the Tipo ad imbuto over the Camician-Pesci, some problems where solved while others were not: it didn't last very long, it irritated the skin and did not protect the whole face. The mask was wore using a three point harness made of an elastic material.

The eye pieces where made of mica and tended to break easily, reason why in later production they had some metal strengthening. Those layers, which acted as the filter, were covered by a coating of grey-green waxed canvas. The mask was made of multiple layers of lint soaked in blocking substances, which were sewn and riveted between themselves, making them able to fit a soldier's face with an air-tight seal.


The Polivalente Z was the first domestic full-face mask used by the Italian army during the first world war. Different types of canisters, from left to right: example produced with wood and oilcloth, example produced with vulcanized fiber, example produced with alluminium
