Birth of the Modern City

An exploration of the 19th century urban landscape through images. While initially an extension of coursework for HIST 28903 offered at the University of Chicago, this blog also features interesting finds in the world of archival photography on the web.

cheese
Photograph

Compulsory mask, brought in to combat the flu epidemic after the World War, 1918-1919 / Sam Hood (via State Library of New South Wales collection) Note: The skull and crossbones on the mask was a “joke”, not part of the mask as issued, in an attempt to halt the disease. 12,000 died in Australia and between 20-100 million around the world, more than were killed in the War Especially in the current climate of fear over the spread of the flu, it is interesting to see the continued use of surgical masks as a means of preventing the spread of the contaigon. Even though their usefulness has been debated, the link between past and present remains strong. Just take a look at this modern-day version, from Mexico (via telegraph.co.uk)

Compulsory mask, brought in to combat the flu epidemic after the World War, 1918-1919 / Sam Hood (via State Library of New South Wales collection) Note: The skull and crossbones on the mask was a “joke”, not part of the mask as issued, in an attempt to halt the disease. 12,000 died in Australia and between 20-100 million around the world, more than were killed in the War

Especially in the current climate of fear over the spread of the flu, it is interesting to see the continued use of surgical masks as a means of preventing the spread of the contaigon. Even though their usefulness has been debated, the link between past and present remains strong.

Just take a look at this modern-day version, from Mexico (via telegraph.co.uk)



April 30, 2009, 6:07am