Vintage work crew photos

[Toolmaker51]

I doubt masks of that period were any more effective withholding odor than current masks and one particular micro-organism.
What has improved though, the sales pitch. Sufficiently thorough enough to convince some folks are now safe within their own car! But they'll stand 6' behind another imagining the same bubble? I've asked a few, 'Which one works?' More often than not, the deer-in-the-headlights expression is next.

I'll add this. Anytime a declaration this or that makes user 'Safe', I find instantly suspicious. "Safe" does not exist.
"Safety" itself, not far behind.
Only "Safer" has potential effect.