Wu Lien-teh (mar 10, 1879 – jan 21, 1960)
Description:
Dr. Wu was a Chinese-Malaysian physician who invented the first effective face mask in the early twentieth century to prevent the spread of the Manchurian plague (1910-1911).Dr. Wu discovered Yersinia pestis, a bacterium similar to the one that caused bubonic plague in the West, after performing autopsies. He identified Manchuria's plague as a respiratory disease and advised everyone, particularly health care workers and law enforcement, to wear masks.
Responding to his call, Chinese authorities combined masking with police-enforced lockdowns. The plague ended four months after the doctor was summoned.
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/05/19/health/wu-lien-teh-china-masks.html
Added to timeline:
Date:
mar 10, 1879
jan 21, 1960
~ 80 years