During World War II, the potential for chemical warfare on American soil initiated an intriguing approach to get children to wear gas masks. With the approval of Walt Disney, the Mickey Mouse gas mask was created in 1942. The small mask with its Mickey ears was meant to put children at ease in an emergency situation. The mask was designed so children could carry it and wear it as part of a game. About 1,000 masks were made by the Sun Rubber Company, each with glass eyes staring out from the cartoonish face connected to an air filter. Most of the masks have disappeared over the years, though a few remain in museums.