If war gas falls from the sky

Buy scotch tape, because it might help you in the event of chemical warfare.

Life - Sep 20, 1943

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Posted By: Alex - Tue Oct 03, 2023
Category: War | Advertising | 1940s

Comments

I didn't know that Scotch tape was unavailable to consumers during World War II. But I don't think I'd rely on it (or cellophane) to protect me from water, never mind poison gas.

Posted by ges on 10/03/23 at 12:33 PM

I don't have firsthand experience (WWII was slightly before I was born), but I don't think the consumer market was all that large pre-war, certainly not on the "it's in absolutely every home" level it is today. It was mostly industrial/commercial sealing/packaging. From what I gather, it was available to the public during the war but there was a severe shortage (think of the empty TP shelves of a few years ago).

I'd trust cellophane to keep out poison gasses, but it'd also keep in CO2 and keep fresh O2 out. I forget how much air a person needs per hour, but I'm guessing the sack-over-the-head, even though it's open at the bottom, would only be good for minutes, rather than hours.

Posted by Phideaux on 10/03/23 at 03:36 PM

I'm reminded of a scots kilt gone really bad.

Posted by KDP on 10/03/23 at 04:56 PM

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