20 Vintage Photographs of People Wearing Gas Masks

The use of chemical warfare during World War I led to the widespread adoption of gas masks by soldiers on the front lines. Despite being banned by international law in 1925, the eerie and inhumane nature of these weapons continues to haunt us. The gas mask, a symbol of fear and destruction, remains a necessary tool in modern times, but its unsettling appearance serves as a reminder of the horrors of war. Here are 20 chilling historical photos of individuals wearing gas masks, capturing the unsettling and otherworldly essence of these protective devices.