The Gas Mask
John Stenhouse invented the gas mask because he was investigating the power of various forms of charcoal to capture and hold large volumes of gas, and then he realized that he could make a gas that was capable of removing toxic gases from incoming air. The mask is made of many things. The outer side of the mask is made out of wood and the mask’s filter is made of powdered charcoal and it was held between two dome-shaped layers of wire gauze so it could cover the users nose and mouth while he was performing. They used charcoal because charcoal absorbs and holds a relatively large volume of poisonous gasses. It is also usually powdered and dried, when it is known as activated charcoal. It is considered to be crude or bad in this time, but the invention was practical and effective enough that some chemical factories in London and other places equipped their workers with it. Charcoal in its “activated” form would eventually be the most used filter medium for gas masks. Before the Gas Mask was made, people had to work in harmful conditions without protection.
For example, some people in London would work with gases without any protection so it lead to many fatalities. But, after the Gas Mask was made, these people that worked with harmful chemicals could work without worrying about dying. The Gas Mask is used for filtering harmful air and gases so the user will be able to breath regular air.
For example, some people in London would work with gases without any protection so it lead to many fatalities. But, after the Gas Mask was made, these people that worked with harmful chemicals could work without worrying about dying. The Gas Mask is used for filtering harmful air and gases so the user will be able to breath regular air.