During the outbreak of novel coronavirus, wearing masks is widely believed to be a simple but effective method to protect oneself from a variety of harmful things. In fact, masks have been helping mankind for centuries. Let's take a look at some mask-related history.
1st century
In that era, many people in Roman Empire worked underground in mines to support their families. But most of them suffered from and even eventually died of respiratory(呼吸的) illnesses. To handle this problem, Pliny the Elder(23-79 AD), a Roman philosopher and naturalist, recommended the use of animal bladder(膀胱) skins to stop dust from being inhaled(吸入). Although primitive, his idea was considered the very first recorded mask invention.
16th century
Early inventions did not stop with Pliny. Many centuries later, Italian artist and inventor Leonardo da Vinci(1452-1519), suggested using a woven cloth dipped in water over the face to protect against the toxic(有毒的) chemicals.
19th century
The design of the mask took a big step forward in the 19th century. In 1848, American Lewis Hassley became the first person to patent(注册专利) a protective mask for miners, which was a milestone in face mask history. Masks at this stage were similar to gas masks. Later, in 1897, Polish-Austrian doctor Johann von Mikulicz-Radecki designed a simple mask made up of one layer of gauze(纱布), recommending medical workers to wear it to prevent infection. That was the first recorded use of a surgical mask.
20th century
In 1910, an epidemic broke out in Northeast China. Chinese doctor Wu Liande designed a cheap face mask called "Wu's mask". Made of two layers of surgical gauze, it could be wrapped around the back of the head and tied in a knot. This mask was praised by many experts around the world, as it was simple to make and had a low production cost.
Modern exploration
With several outbreaks of infectious diseases and the flu, and the rise of pollution caused by industrial waste, the materials in masks have continued to evolve to better protect its wearer. For example, in 2012 when China suffered from smog, mask models such as N95 and KN90, which can filter out(过滤掉) this fine particulate(微粒) matter, became highly popular.
