Academic Medicine Open Forum

Like something out of the Marvel universe, the origin story of the N95 mask has all the classic cinematic elements: plague; China vs. Russia conflict; and a modern female heroine. The full history-which someone should absolutely turn into a movie-is available here from Fast Company (subscription may be required). But consider this condensed (trailer!) version of events:

In 1910, a deadly plague broke out in an area shared between China and Russia, and competition ensued to be the first nation to combat the epidemic. Lien-teh Wu, a Chinese physician, suggested that the plague was not spread by fleas (as originally believed) but through the air. Improving upon surgical masks used elsewhere in the world, Wu developed a sturdier mask made of gauze and cotton, and added several layers of cloth to filter inhalations. It was praised for its effectiveness, design, and affordability. Wu's mask became well known all over the world, and was in mass use by 1918 during the Spanish flu outbreak.

His design inspired what would become the N95 mask. But first: bras! 

In the US during the 1950s, workers seeking to protect themselves from breathing harmful substances like asbestos used respirators-the kind that resemble full-face gas masks-that were hot, bulky and uncomfortable. Sara Little Turnbull, who was hired to help the 3M company's giftwrap division improve the stiffness of ribbons, applied that novel fiber process technology to shoulder pads and molded bras. Her experience visiting sick relatives in hospitals during that time led her to develop a bra-inspired surgical mask. This was the precursor to 3M's first single-use respirator. As medical knowledge advanced, so did the technology behind the N95, including the addition of an electrostatic charge.

Like something out of the Marvel universe, the origin story of the N95 mask has all the classic cinematic elements: plague; China vs. Russia conflict; and a modern female heroine. The full history-which someone should absolutely turn into a movie-is available here from Fast Company (subscription may be required). But consider this condensed (trailer!) version of events:

In 1910, a deadly plague broke out in an area shared between China and Russia, and competition ensued to be the first nation to combat the epidemic. Lien-teh Wu, a Chinese physician, suggested that the plague was not spread by fleas (as originally believed) but through the air. Improving upon surgical masks used elsewhere in the world, Wu developed a sturdier mask made of gauze and cotton, and added several layers of cloth to filter inhalations. It was praised for its effectiveness, design, and affordability. Wu's mask became well known all over the world, and was in mass use by 1918 during the Spanish flu outbreak.

His design inspired what would become the N95 mask. But first: bras! 

In the US during the 1950s, workers seeking to protect themselves from breathing harmful substances like asbestos used respirators-the kind that resemble full-face gas masks-that were hot, bulky and uncomfortable. Sara Little Turnbull, who was hired to help the 3M company's giftwrap division improve the stiffness of ribbons, applied that novel fiber process technology to shoulder pads and molded bras. Her experience visiting sick relatives in hospitals during that time led her to develop a bra-inspired surgical mask. This was the precursor to 3M's first single-use respirator. As medical knowledge advanced, so did the technology behind the N95, including the addition of an electrostatic charge.

Like something out of the Marvel universe, the origin story of the N95 mask has all the classic cinematic elements: plague; China vs. Russia conflict; and a modern female heroine. The full history-which someone should absolutely turn into a movie-is available here from Fast Company (subscription may be required). But consider this condensed (trailer!) version of events:

In 1910, a deadly plague broke out in an area shared between China and Russia, and competition ensued to be the first nation to combat the epidemic. Lien-teh Wu, a Chinese physician, suggested that the plague was not spread by fleas (as originally believed) but through the air. Improving upon surgical masks used elsewhere in the world, Wu developed a sturdier mask made of gauze and cotton, and added several layers of cloth to filter inhalations. It was praised for its effectiveness, design, and affordability. Wu's mask became well known all over the world, and was in mass use by 1918 during the Spanish flu outbreak.

His design inspired what would become the N95 mask. But first: bras! 

In the US during the 1950s, workers seeking to protect themselves from breathing harmful substances like asbestos used respirators-the kind that resemble full-face gas masks-that were hot, bulky and uncomfortable. Sara Little Turnbull, who was hired to help the 3M company's giftwrap division improve the stiffness of ribbons, applied that novel fiber process technology to shoulder pads and molded bras. Her experience visiting sick relatives in hospitals during that time led her to develop a bra-inspired surgical mask. This was the precursor to 3M's first single-use respirator. As medical knowledge advanced, so did the technology behind the N95, including the addition of an electrostatic charge.