Ancient Romans Invent First Asbestos Respirator

Roman Renaissance man, Pliny the Elder, who was a historian, doctor, and naturalist among other things, noted that asbestos was a magical material that could provide protection against all spells, particularly that of the Magi.

He also observed that people, who had been exposed to asbestos at high concentrations, or for a long period of time, were more prone to "lung sickness," particularly those who worked in the asbestos mines.

Pliny the Elder recommended that quarry slaves from asbestos mines not be purchased because of their high incidence of dying young.

Since ailments of the lung were common to anyone who worked with asbestos fibers, Pliny the Elder suggested the use of a respirator made of transparent bladder skin to protect workers from asbestos dust.