In the lead-up to World War II there ... poisonous gas, so by 1938 the government had issued respirators to every man, woman and child in the nation. More than 40 million gas masks were issued.

Gas mask drill was a daily feature of life at school. The routine for the drill was: i) remove mask from box; ii) put mask on face; iii) check the mask is fitting correctly; iv) breathe normally.

Audio1939: News - Outbreak of war with Germany 1938: Government issues gas mask instructions. Audio1938: Government issues gas mask instructions Tribute to WW2 station blast victims unveiled Bill ...

Masks have long been used as a protection for diseases and in times of turmoil. World War I soldiers used respirators ... and political turmoil between the US and Iran. And as the pandemic drags ...