Funny Holidays - Gas Mask Birthday

Rapid development at the end of the 19th century. Chemistry as a science, on the one hand, created wide opportunities for use in industry, on the other hand, it was fraught with a lot of dangers for people. For the first time in human history, gas weapons were used in 1915 during the First World War. Germany, determined to demonstrate its superiority, used chlorine and mustard gas against the French infantry. This and similar toxic substances affect mucous membranes, paralyze breathing, cause eye burns and lead to death from suffocation. To protect against gas attacks, soldiers of the Entente bloc used a cloth moistened with water. The military was not prepared for such a turn of events. Their equipment lacked “pulmonary protectors”, patent US 6529 for which was registered in the United States in 1849. However, even with their presence, devices in the form of gauze bandages for the face did a poor job of filtering out deadly substances. However, in honor of the invention of this particular device, a holiday was established on June 12 - the Birthday of the Gas Mask. The air filtration device, which was invented in 1849 by Lewis Fectick Haslett, a resident of Kentucky, contained sponge tissue. “An inhaler or lung protection,” as the device was called in the patent, retained only a small range of toxic substances, therefore, following the results of the First World War, it was modified by chemist Nikolai Dmitrievich Zelinsky and industrial engineer Edmond Kummant. Scientists, whose gas mask could be worn on both people and animals (horses and dogs), used carbon, known for its absorbent properties, for filtration. Nicholas I, to whom the new device was demonstrated, personally gave the command to begin its production. And by the end of 1916, over 11 million Zelinsky-Kummant combat gas masks were supplied to the army. The Russian scientist did not file a patent for his invention, which was fundamentally different from the device invented by L.F. Haslett. Gas mask N.D. Zelinsky, who did not receive any material benefit from its production on an industrial scale, is now in service with many armies of the world. The device, consisting of a face mask-helmet and a filter-absorbing box connected by a tube, protects people from toxic chemicals and radiation. During the time of N.D. Zelensky used only activated carbon as a filter; today metal oxides and salts are added to it. A modern gas mask includes a bag and anti-fog films; some models are equipped with intercom membranes. Personal respiratory protection is used when working underground if there is a possibility of poisoning with methane, hydrogen sulfide, ammonia, and at home when in contact with solvents and chemicals. The Zelinsky-Kummant device is also used in case of emergencies and industrial accidents. Wanting to pay tribute to this important invention, people around the world celebrate the birthday of the gas mask on June 12th every year.