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In 1918, a new and severe strain of influenza was making its way across the globe. Within two years later, approximately one-third of the world's population had become infected and more than 50 million people died as a result.
This unique strain of influenza was noted for mostly affecting otherwise healthy adults. In particular, soldiers fighting in close proximity in trenches during World War I were highly susceptible to the illness. As a result, more US soldiers died of the virus than at the hands of enemy soldiers.
In the United States, widespread precautionary measures were taken to help curb the spread of the virus. It was not uncommon to see store clerks, barbers, pedestrians, and police officers equipped with protective face masks. Public spaces were frequently fumigated for disease, and indoor gathering spaces such as courts and churches were temporarily relocated outdoors.
To highlight the similarities between the 1918 pandemic the current state of the coronavirus pandemic, MyHeritage has processed a collection of historic black-and-white pictures with their advanced colorization software to reveal what history looked like in remarkable color.
These colorized pictures from history show how people attempted to control the spread of the devastating 1918 influenza pandemic.
A man has his hair cut by a barber wearing a surgical mask during the pandemic in 1918.
A man has his hair cut by a barber wearing a surgical mask during the pandemic in 1918.
A man has his hair cut by a barber wearing a surgical mask during the pandemic in 1918.
An informational poster in Alberta, Canada, explains how to make a protective face mask, circa 1918.
An informational poster in Alberta, Canada, explains how to make a protective face mask, circa 1918.
An informational poster in Alberta, Canada, explains how to make a protective face mask, circa 1918.
A traffic police officer in New York City wears a cloth mask for protection against influenza on Oct. 16, 1918.
A traffic police officer in New York City wears a cloth mask for protection against influenza on Oct. 16, 1918.
A traffic police officer in New York City wears a cloth mask for protection against influenza on Oct. 16, 1918.
A sign at the Philadelphia Navy Yard warns against influenza and cites 30 deaths on the premises resulting from the illness, circa 1918.
A sign at the Philadelphia Navy Yard warns against influenza and cites 30 deaths on the premises resulting from the illness, circa 1918.
A sign at the Philadelphia Navy Yard warns against influenza and cites 30 deaths on the premises resulting from the illness, circa 1918.
The US Army's 39th Regiment marches through the streets of Seattle before deploying to France in 1918. Every soldier was given a mask made by the Seattle chapter of the American Red Cross.
The US Army's 39th Regiment marches through the streets of Seattle before deploying to France in 1918. Every soldier was given a mask made by the Seattle chapter of the American Red Cross.
The US Army's 39th Regiment marches through the streets of Seattle before deploying to France in 1918. Every soldier was given a mask made by the Seattle chapter of the American Red Cross.
A New York street cleaner wears a mask to work and is quoted as saying, "better be ridiculous than dead," 1918.
A New York street cleaner wears a mask to work and is quoted as saying, "better be ridiculous than dead," 1918.
A New York street cleaner wears a mask to work and is quoted as saying, "better be ridiculous than dead," 1918.
A church congregation prays on the steps of the Cathedral of Saint Mary of the Assumption in San Francisco, where they gathered to celebrate Mass during the influenza epidemic in 1918.
A church congregation prays on the steps of the Cathedral of Saint Mary of the Assumption in San Francisco, where they gathered to celebrate Mass during the influenza epidemic in 1918.
A church congregation prays on the steps of the Cathedral of Saint Mary of the Assumption in San Francisco, where they gathered to celebrate Mass during the influenza epidemic in 1918.
A court is held in open air in San Francisco, 1918.
A court is held in open air in San Francisco, 1918.
A court is held in open air in San Francisco, 1918.
Doctors, Army officers, and reporters wear surgical gowns and masks while taking a tour of a hospital treating influenza patients in 1918.
Doctors, Army officers, and reporters wear surgical gowns and masks while taking a tour of a hospital treating influenza patients in 1918.
Doctors, Army officers, and reporters wear surgical gowns and masks while taking a tour of a hospital treating influenza patients in 1918.
A nurse takes a patient's pulse in the influenza ward of Walter Reed Hospital in Washington, DC, 1918.
A nurse takes a patient's pulse in the influenza ward of Walter Reed Hospital in Washington, DC, 1918.
A nurse takes a patient's pulse in the influenza ward of Walter Reed Hospital in Washington, DC, 1918.
A Red Cross emergency ambulance station in Washington, DC, during the influenza pandemic of 1918.
A Red Cross emergency ambulance station in Washington, DC, during the influenza pandemic of 1918.
A Red Cross emergency ambulance station in Washington, DC, during the influenza pandemic of 1918.
An American soldier is covered with a sheet and mask to prevent the flu from spreading, circa 1918.
An American soldier is covered with a sheet and mask to prevent the flu from spreading, circa 1918.
An American soldier is covered with a sheet and mask to prevent the flu from spreading, circa 1918.
Members of the St. Louis Red Cross Motor Corps prepare for patients, 1918.
Members of the St. Louis Red Cross Motor Corps prepare for patients, 1918.
Members of the St. Louis Red Cross Motor Corps prepare for patients, 1918.
The Influenza ward of a US Army field hospital in Hollerich, Luxembourg, 1918.
The Influenza ward of a US Army field hospital in Hollerich, Luxembourg, 1918.
The Influenza ward of a US Army field hospital in Hollerich, Luxembourg, 1918.
A community kitchen for influenza patients in Salt Lake City, circa 1918.
A community kitchen for influenza patients in Salt Lake City, circa 1918.
A community kitchen for influenza patients in Salt Lake City, circa 1918.
During an influenza epidemic, volunteers wearing masks feed children of stricken families, 1918.
During an influenza epidemic, volunteers wearing masks feed children of stricken families, 1918.
During an influenza epidemic, volunteers wearing masks feed children of stricken families, 1918.
