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         Evolution of Camouflage & First World War Dazzle Paint Jobs   


      The origins of modern camouflage owes itself to 19th century naturalist painters.  The most notable of these in the development of knowledge of camouflage was Abbot H, Thayer.  While he harbored some strange views of the scientific development of animal camouflage (all animals were "camouflaged")  He noticed the effect of disruptive patterning and countershading.  He noted that animal markings tended to obstruct their shape in nature.  Their coloring added with this made them often completely invisible. By going from darker shades on top to lighter on the bottom animals canceled out the way we see objects by light illuminated them top down.  Black also aided in disruptive schemes.
An example of Countershading.

Abbot's demonstration of disruptive patterns.

In this image we can see how disruptive patterns observe the shape of the ship.  Given the considerable struggles of the Royal Navy during the First World War with anti-submarine warfare, the Admiralty decided something had to be done.  The patters selected intended to not only disrupt shape, but obscure the ability to determine a ships heading.

The visual game of tricking perception takes on its most important role in camouflage.  Lives are lost and saved upon the success or failure of the enterprise.  Camouflage continues to be developed and has entered a new stage of digitization.  Depending upon future developments of weapon systems and conflicts the forms and applications of visual deceit will continue to play an important role.




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