Uploaded January 2021 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
As early as the first century AD, Pliny the Elder argued for the use of face masks to protect people in dangerous respiratory situations. During the 1918 influenza pandemic, face masks were widely adopted, though their value was hotly contested. In 2020 the use of a protective face mask has turned into a political litmus test. Panelists during this session will examine both the historical experience of face masks and the varied current experience from production challenges to fashion statement.
For more information about the Pandemic Perspectives colloquium visit: https://americanhistory.si.edu/pandemic-perspectives
For more on COVID19 collecting visit: https://americanhistory.si.edu/press/releases/statement-national-museum-american-history-implements-collecting-strategy-response
For more on Medical collections visit: https://americanhistory.si.edu/collections/object-groups/antibody-initiative
As early as the first century AD, Pliny the Elder argued for the use of face masks to protect people in dangerous respiratory situations. During the 1918 influenza pandemic, face masks were widely adopted, though their value was hotly contested. In 2020 the use of a protective face mask has turned into a political litmus test. Panelists during this session will examine both the historical experience of face masks and the varied current experience from production challenges to fashion statement.
For more information about the Pandemic Perspectives colloquium visit: https://americanhistory.si.edu/pandemic-perspectives
For more on COVID19 collecting visit: https://americanhistory.si.edu/press/releases/statement-national-museum-american-history-implements-collecting-strategy-response
For more on Medical collections visit: https://americanhistory.si.edu/collections/object-groups/antibody-initiative
