Get unlimited access to everything VICE has to offer.

Turn off all ads on VICE.com

Exclusive New VICE Documentaries

Member Exclusive Features & Columns

Turn off all ads on VICE.com

Exclusive New VICE Documentaries

Member Exclusive Features & Columns

Turn off all ads on VICE.com

Exclusive New VICE Documentaries

Member Exclusive Features & Columns

4 Magazines Delivered to Your Door

Walt Disney Helped Create a Mickey Mouse Gas Mask During World War II

The U.S. made about 1,000 Mickey Mouse gas masks during World War II to make civil defense less frightening for kids.

Share on X (Opens in new window)X

Share on Facebook (Opens in new window)Facebook

Share using Native toolsShareCopied to clipboard

Shortly after World War II began, the United States had to consider the very real possibility of chemical warfare. As such, the U.S. government started developing gas masks for civilians. Following the attack on Pearl Harbor in December 1941, New York Mayor Fiorello La Guardia, who was the director of the Office of Civil Defense at the time, proposed that 50 million masks be available to supply to American citizens. These were to come in five sizes to accommodate babies, young children, older........

© Vice