Because of the ongoing epidemic, masks have become a hot topic for discussion. This simple commodity has become a necessity of people's life at present, and its history reflects the great history of human respiratory protection.
How does the mask form from ancient times to modern times and then to modern times, and gradually form the diversified mask form that you and I are familiar with now?
The origin of masks
Mask
The English name of the mask is respirator, which means artificial respirator. In the sixth century B.C., the earliest ritual "mask like objects" appeared in historical records, which were covered with cloth. The fire worship religion of ancient Persia believed that the common people's breath was unclean. Today, we can see the relevant images in the relief on the door of the ancient Persian tomb.
Pliny, a philosopher and naturalist in the first century A.D. (23-79 A.D.), used loose animal bladder skin to cover his nose to filter dust so as not to be inhaled the toxic mercury sulfide when crushing cinnabar.
In the Yuan Dynasty of China, in order to avoid the breath of those serving the emperor's food from touching the food, the waiter's mouth and nose should be covered with silk and gold thread silk scarves. In the travels of Marco Polo, it is recorded that "in the palace of the Yuan Dynasty, all the people who offered food covered their mouths and noses with silk cloth, so that they could not touch the food." And the silk cloth that covers the mouth and nose is the most primitive mask.
A medieval face mask with a beak
Since the 14th century, the black death has been rampant in Europe. This has also greatly promoted the emergence of functional "mask like objects". In the 16th century, a French doctor named Charles de Lome invented and designed the beak mask. He installed glass in the eye socket to ensure that he could see. The part of the beak can be used for perfume, aromatic spices or drugs such as peppermint leaves and camphor for filtering and disinfecting.
In addition to the mask, there is a complete set of doctor's suit consisting of a wide brimmed hat, shawl, robe, trousers, gloves, shoes and walking stick. Because of the rampant plague, the "beak suit" is also regarded as a horrible God of death.
Beak suit
In the 16th century, Leonardo da Vinci, a famous painter, proposed to cover his face with cloth after soaking in water, so as to place toxic chemicals such as smoke on his respiratory system. Until now, there are similar methods in the fire escape guide.
The exploration of masks in modern times
In the 18th century, respirators took the shape of modern masks. For example, a simple mask designed by Alexander von Humboldt, a mining engineer in Prussia.
Alexander von Humboldt simple mask woodcut design
In 1827, Scottish scientist Robert Brown discovered a kind of "Brownian motion", which believed that the collision of fast-moving gas molecules would lead to the random bounce of small particles, and theoretically studied the protective effect of masks on dust.
In 1848, Lewis Hasley, an American, obtained the first patent for a mask designed for miners. It's a milestone in the history of masks. He uses a one-way valve as the mechanism to control the breathing air flow, and the air breathed into the mouth and nose of the human body after passing through the filter. According to different use environment, corresponding to different filters, such as wet wool, charcoal, etc. At the same time, it also shows that the filtration efficiency is not enough in the face of a large number of toxic gases. This stage of the mask is closer to the use of "gas mask". He applied for a U.S. patent in 1849 with the patent number of 6529, which can still be found in the archives of the United States.
Pasteur, microbiologist
Later, the experiment of "gooseneck bottle" became the turning point of modern masks. In 1861, Pasteur used this experiment to prove the existence of bacteria in the air. In 1895, German pathologist Ludwig began to advise doctors and nurses to cover their mouths and noses with gauze when they operated because he found that airborne bacteria can infect wounds. In 1897, British surgeons added fine wire to make the gauze more three-dimensional and overcome the disadvantages of poor breathing and being easily wetted by saliva.
In 1899, a French doctor made a mask with six layers of gauze and sewed it on the collar of the surgical gown. When using, just turn the collar up. In the process of use, it gradually evolved into a form that can be tied freely, with a ring-shaped belt hanging on the ear. So far, the birth of modern masks.
In 1899, a French doctor made a mask with six layers of gauze
In the late Qing Dynasty, Wu Liande, a Chinese medical expert, invented a mask made of two layers of gauze, which was called "Wu's mask". This kind of mask is easy to manufacture and materials are easy to obtain. The cost is only two and a half cents. In April 1911, "Wu's mask" was praised by experts from all over the world: "the mask invented by Wu Liande is simple in style, light in manufacturing cost, but the effect of service is also very good."
Chinese medical expert Wu Liande
Wu's mask
Advance and design of mask
With several outbreaks of infectious diseases and influenza, as well as the spread of haze, masks are more known, and mask materials are also evolving in the process of anti pollution.
In addition to the SARS epidemic in 2003, the last large-scale use of masks in China was haze pollution since 2012. In that year, the new term PM2.5 began to take root in people's minds, and N95, Kn90 and other masks became popular at that time.
N95 respirator is one of nine kinds of anti particle respirators certified by NIOSH (National Institute of occupational safety and health of the United States), "n" means particles that are not suitable for oil, "95" means that under the test conditions specified in NIOSH standard, the filter efficiency reaches 95%, while Kn90 test standard is completely consistent with N95, but the filter efficiency is 90%.
3M mask
Now 3M, which you and I are familiar with, began to design and produce masks as early as 1967. The full name of 3M is "Minnesota Mining and manufacturing co" (Minnesota Mining and manufacturing company). Because there are three M's in the beginning of the name, it is also called 3M company. What many people don't know is that the original design of 3M mask came from disposable bra. At that time, 3M developed the proprietary technology of non-woven fabric and electrostatic fiber filter cotton. At this time, an employee got inspiration from the disposable underwear of women, and proposed to develop something that could be covered on the nose and mouth to protect workers in mining, smelting and other harsh working environment. So now the popular 3M mask came into being.
Bo-Bi respirator
Bo-Bi respirator
Bo-Bi respirator
Nendo, a popular Japanese design agency, designed a mask called Bo Bi for clever, an industrial manufacturer in Aichi county.
Compared with ordinary masks, Bo Bi masks are unique in that their 10 layers of mesh can block 99% of dust and viruses. Each layer has corresponding functions, from the inside to the outside, to prevent the make-up and eyes from fogging, quick drying, ventilation, moisturizing, etc., and the outermost layer is used to block PM2.5 and droplets.
In particular, this mask claims to be able to be reused after cleaning more than 100 times without affecting its filtering and protection functions.
At the same time, the mask is equipped with a light gray mask bag, which can easily put the mask in and out and serve as the function of washing net, and clean with the mask. There are three versions of the mask. In addition to the ordinary version, there are also versions for insects and radioactive substances, and the version for "slimming" which claims to add appropriate load when breathing.
Airinum mask
Airinum mask
In addition to emphasizing functionality, masks also derive designs that are more likely. In 2014, designer Alexander lived in India for a short period of half a year because of the recurrence of asthma caused by local air pollution. And on a train trip to India, he found that locals only cover their noses with towels to protect themselves. As a result, he began to think about airinum, a professional mask with both functions and fashion.
Wave shoes mask
Wave shoes mask
Designer Zhijun Wang is fighting against the increasing haze with hoaxes. He disassembled and deconstructed the expensive yeezy boost 350v2 and reconstructed the mask. Also known as "wave shoe mask", as his silent cry. In the first two years of MoMA exhibition, "items: is fashion modern?" On the exhibition, 111 pieces of pieces that have a significant impact on the history of fashion were on display. Zhijun's wave shoes mask is one of the exhibits.
Woobi Play
Woobi Play
Adult size masks are not necessarily suitable for children with small faces. In recent years, aerootion, a technology company, came to the Danish Design Studio kilo design to launch a special mask for children - woobi play, which is more suitable for children and has the characteristics of effective air filtration, and is quite interesting.
Woobi play is made of translucent medical grade silica gel, which is safe and can be reused for one month. A portable box made of natural pulp is used to place the mask. A cartoon version of the manual is attached.
According to the introduction of airmotion, the principle of woobi play is mainly designed as one large and one small port on the left and right, with one-way air valve set respectively. The big mouth is used for suction, the small mouth is used for outlet, and the middle is a spiral folded filter element, which can filter 95% of pollutants in three-dimensional way.
Woobi play with playability
In particular, this mask emphasizes playability and is designed with colorful replaceable parts for parents and children to assemble freely. What's more, children can use watercolor pen and sticker DIY to breathe the color and shape of the air cap.
"Masked in flight" Mask
"Masked in flight" Mask
Sruli Recht, an Icelandic designer, has designed a "masked in flight" face mask series, which contains a respirator with replaceable filter and is made of folded parchment.
Three dimensional mask with animal elements
Just like sunglasses, masks gradually add decorative identity. Samira boon, a Japanese designer brand, has introduced a series of special three-dimensional masks that integrate different animal head elements into the design.
Masks also radiate a new fashion design in the long stream of time. These masks and masks, which are mainly used for protection, have changed in the fashion circle and become the focus of the brand.
Maison Margiela
Maison Margiela
If we want to choose a fashion brand with a "masked" tradition in the fashion circle, we have to mention Maison Margiela. As early as 1995, Martin Margiela, a Belgian designer famous for deconstruction, pioneered the first full mask fashion series.
This fashion show covered with cloth makes the mask one of the common clothing accessories of its brand. This spirit of anonymity runs through Margiela's creative career, as he once said: "I hope my name reminds me not of my appearance, but of my creation." There is always something more important to focus on than appearance.
(this article is integrated from "volume Wallpaper" and "Wei Xi Bei public number").