The Mickey Mouse gasmask was utterly terrifying in 1942 – and it still is

mickey mouse gas mask

WAR is utterly terrifying. It’s ugly. But in 1942, T.W. Smith, Jr., owner of the Sun Rubber Company, and designer, Dietrich Rempel, created something to give children nightmares: the Mickey Mouse gas mask, as approved by Walt Disney.

After presentation to Major General William N. Porter, Chief of the Chemical Warfare Service, 1,000 masks were made. No mask was ever used in wartime.

mickey mouse gas mask 1

Spotter: Major Robert Walk

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