A history of masks protecting against bad air—in cities, factories, hospitals, and war trenches—exploring how our identities and beliefs shape the decision to wear a mask   For centuries, humans have endeavored to protect themselves from dangerous air—whether from smoke, dust, germs, or other harmful elements. The Mask offers the first history of facial coverings—be they simple pieces of cloth or elaborate gas masks—and how they have sparked hopes, passions, and fears.   Bruno J. Strasser and Thomas Schlich regale readers with stories of people, from great doctors and prominent statesmen to unknown factory workers and forgotten inventors. By documenting the dramatic historical shifts in ideas about the symbolic and protective value of masks, this book illustrates how the decision to wear a mask represents more than a commitment to health: it is shaped by culture, class, gender, and our deepest beliefs. As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, masks are once again potentially part of the new normal, and as such will continue to spark controversy, revealing more than they hide.