Inspiration: Walt Disney

The Artist and the U. S. Army Chemical Corps -

Walt Disney shows off his studio’s proposed design of the Mickey Mouse gas mask in January 1942 to Col. George Fisher, (left) chief of the Civil Defense Division,Walt Disney (center) and Maj. Gen. William Porter (right) chief of the Chemical Warfare Service.

(Courtesy of U.S. Army Chemical Corps Museum, Fort Leonard Wood, Mo. /Courtesy of he U.S. Army Chemical Corps Museum, Ft. Leonard Wood, MO)

Sometimes you come across a story that is almost too bizarre to be true. 

This story takes place in the beginning of the 1940’s a world war is raging and the Japanese have just bombed Pearl Harbor. 

The U. S. believes a chemical attack is eminent, assessing that coastal communities are the most vulnerable. 

The U. S. Army Chem. Corp. is tasked with creating a defense plan. This plan includes protecting school age children. But how do they make children comfortable with idea of wearing a Gas Mask?

The creator of “the happiest place on earth” is tasked with making this military equipment look more like a children’s toy. 

Walt Disney takes one of his most popular cartoon characters and creates what you see here. A Mickey Mouse Gas Mask. 

The Design: Created by Walt Disney and CWS designers to look like Mickey Mouse, complete with round ears and a snout to make wearing the mask a game

The Goal: To improve wear-time and survivability by alleviating childhood anxiety associated with standard, frightening military respirators

Walt Disney and the U.S. Army Chemical Warfare Service created the ”Mickey Mouse" gas mask to reduce children's fear of chemical attacks.

The Office of Civilian Defense, had proposed that the government order 50 million gas masks.

The Post explained:

"The masks would cost $3.75 each and would be supplied in five sizes — one for babies, one for children 2 to 3 years of age, one for larger children, another for small adults and the 'universal adult mask.'

Manufactured by the Sun Rubber Company, only about 1,000 prototypes were made before rubber rationing canceled mass production.

A production version gas mask designed by Walt Disney to look like Mickey Mouse. The production mask was manufactured by the Sun Rubber Co. (Courtesy of U.S. Army Chemical Corps Museum, Fort Leonard Wood, Mo.)

“First, think. Second, believe. Third, dream. And finally, dare.”

- Walt Disney

It was this moment in history that inspired my “Mickey Mou$e Madness”. A mash-up of Mickey Mouse wearing a Gas Mask.

The reflection in the lenses of the Gas Mask shows blue skies and palm trees, this a shout out to some of my favorite spots. Miami, La Jolla, Old San Juan, Turks and Caicos, Key West or perhaps Disney locations like Los Angeles or Orlando.

And if you are in Miami or La Jolla you need a little luxury. So Mickeys wardrobe gets an upgrade to Louis Vuitton shorts and a pair of Gucci loafers.

“Mickey Mou$e Madness”

“Mickey Mou$e Madness” by street artist Johnny Blanco. Mixed medium painting on canvas. 36”x 48”

“I even added a shout out to my first pair of luxury shoes, Gucci.”  

 - Johnny Blanco

Thanks for taking the time out of your busy day to learn a little more about my art and the things that inspire me. I love the creative process that art provides me. Thank you for being a part of my journey. - Blanco

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