Murmuration Inc + Madeline’s Room (an unexpected collaboration)

Did you know…?

During World War II, especially in Britain and the United States, there was a real fear of chemical warfare, and gas masks became an essential tool for civilian defense. In 1942, the U.S. government, concerned about protecting children, designed a special gas mask that would be less frightening and more appealing to them. This led to the creation of the Mickey Mouse gas mask, officially known as the “Mickey Mouse Club Gas Mask.”

Contrary to its name, the mask didn’t resemble Mickey Mouse but was instead brightly colored and had a playful design to make it less intimidating for children. The idea was to create a sense of comfort and reduce the trauma associated with the possibility of gas attacks. These masks were part of broader efforts to prepare the civilian population for chemical warfare, although no such attacks occurred on U.S. soil.

Only about 1,000 of these masks were produced, and they were primarily distributed to children in the event of an emergency. Today, these gas masks are rare collectors’ items and a unique reminder of how wartime governments tried to balance protection with the psychological well-being of their citizens, particularly the youngest ones.

How genius is this fabrication of the Mickey Mouse gas mask by Murmuration Inc. featuring our balloons?

The installation is running again on 11/1/24 at 26 Liberty Street in Newburgh, NY.

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