How it Works

Video

• http://www.history.com/videos/how-gas-masks-work#how-gas-masks-work

Effects

People

• Fumes from urine affect systems inside body
• Goggles blur vision during battle
• First versions of actual gas mask were heavier and bulkier which prohibits performance on battlefield

Changes

Gas Masks Before, During, and After WW1

Garrett Morgan

• Garrett Augustus Morgan first created the respiratory hood (a.k.a. gas mask) in 1914
• ​He first used his invention successfully in 1916

World War 1

• The Germans first used poison gas on the western front
• Troops were first equipped with cotton mouth pads
• One of the first British gas masks was the British Hypo helmet
• A more sophisticated version of the gas mask was developed later when poison attacks continued; this new mask was called he British small respirator box

British Hypo helmet

Now

• Many modern gas masks advertise extremely efficient filters, chemical coatings, and multiple layered filtering systems.
• Most military-issued gas masks provide protection, however, some others are overpriced, aren't airtight, break easily, or don't provide the protection needed.
• Poison gas attacks in war aren't nearly as effective due to numerous advances in gas mask technology