markdcatlin | New Respirators for Chemical Warfare Protection 1962 Army Chemical Corps @markdcatlin | Uploaded May 2013 | Updated October 2024, 2 hours ago.
Starting in 1952, the Chemical Corps began work on a new mask to replace the M9 series. The corps wanted a mask that was more reliable, suitable for any face size and skin texture, and more comfortable in any climate. Utilizing previous work on canisterless civilian masks and an earlier military prototype, Dr. Frank Shanty, a young engineer assigned to the Army Chemical Center, thought of the concept for a new mask on a late-night train to Cincinnati, Ohio. The final result was the M17 Protective Mask, the first canisterless military mask, which was standardized in 1959. The new mask eliminated the problem of having left- and right-handed masks, weighed less, and had reduced breathing resistance. Other mask work included the first tank mask,
the M14, standardized in 1954 as part of the M8 3- Man Tank Collective Protector. In 1959, the corps standardized an improved head-wound mask, designated the M18, that allowed soldiers with head wounds to wear protective masks in contaminated environments. This is clipped from the 1962 film made by the Army Chemical Corps. The film shows various protective gear developed by the U.S. to protect soldiers and civilians in case of chemical warfare, including protective masks and clothing, as well as gear that helped people remove contaminants from clothing and skin. The historical development of protective masks or respirators may be roughly characterized as four different generations:
The First World War. The first primitive masks were quickly developed after the initial use of CW agents during the First World War. The illustration shows an American mask from 1918. The basic frame of the mask is made of leather.
The Second World War. The protective capability was greatly improved during the period between the wars when natural rubber was used to make the basic frame of the mask. The elastic rubber material allowed the mask to better adapt itself to different shaped faces.
After the Second World War and up to about 1980. In about 1950, there was a more general trend to equip the mask with an inner mask. This must be regarded as a technical break-through. The inner mask solved the problem with misting of the visors also in low winter temperatures.
The current generation of protective masks. During the 1980's and 1990's, protective masks were improved in many ways, as regards for example comfort, fit and the intake of liquids. It might therefore be justified to regard them as the fourth generation of protective masks.
Starting in 1952, the Chemical Corps began work on a new mask to replace the M9 series. The corps wanted a mask that was more reliable, suitable for any face size and skin texture, and more comfortable in any climate. Utilizing previous work on canisterless civilian masks and an earlier military prototype, Dr. Frank Shanty, a young engineer assigned to the Army Chemical Center, thought of the concept for a new mask on a late-night train to Cincinnati, Ohio. The final result was the M17 Protective Mask, the first canisterless military mask, which was standardized in 1959. The new mask eliminated the problem of having left- and right-handed masks, weighed less, and had reduced breathing resistance. Other mask work included the first tank mask,
the M14, standardized in 1954 as part of the M8 3- Man Tank Collective Protector. In 1959, the corps standardized an improved head-wound mask, designated the M18, that allowed soldiers with head wounds to wear protective masks in contaminated environments. This is clipped from the 1962 film made by the Army Chemical Corps. The film shows various protective gear developed by the U.S. to protect soldiers and civilians in case of chemical warfare, including protective masks and clothing, as well as gear that helped people remove contaminants from clothing and skin. The historical development of protective masks or respirators may be roughly characterized as four different generations:
The First World War. The first primitive masks were quickly developed after the initial use of CW agents during the First World War. The illustration shows an American mask from 1918. The basic frame of the mask is made of leather.
The Second World War. The protective capability was greatly improved during the period between the wars when natural rubber was used to make the basic frame of the mask. The elastic rubber material allowed the mask to better adapt itself to different shaped faces.
After the Second World War and up to about 1980. In about 1950, there was a more general trend to equip the mask with an inner mask. This must be regarded as a technical break-through. The inner mask solved the problem with misting of the visors also in low winter temperatures.
The current generation of protective masks. During the 1980's and 1990's, protective masks were improved in many ways, as regards for example comfort, fit and the intake of liquids. It might therefore be justified to regard them as the fourth generation of protective masks.
