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iSphere Plastique Fantastique Face Mask Alternative

Tired of wearing those same boring fabric face masks? Do you long to show your face to the world again? Try the iSphere from Plastique Fantastique!

The Coronavirus is changing our relation to each other and affecting our perception of reality. In this time of lockdown, we wonder about the mutation of our social life and the effects of the deprivation of physical touch. iSphere represents the art installations of Plastique Fantastique on a smaller scale and the perspective into the post-pandemic world, beyond 2020.

The iSphere Starting from April 27th 2020, it is mandatory to cover mouth and nose in public transports in Berlin. The iSphere is an open-source project that everybody can produce, develop and improve. Additional gadgets can give a unique touch to any iSphere: it can have a sunshade, a mirrored layer, an integrated microphone, a speaker, a ventilator, or a snorkel. The iconic design is inspired by the science fiction comics of the 50s and the creations of the utopian movements of the 60s; it is pop, and it belongs to everybody. The iSphere is a funny and serious object that stimulates how to approach this exceptional situation.

(Via Plastique Fantastique.)

Perhaps you think that you've seen this idea before? Of course you have! But how long ago?

Take a look at this glassite space-helmet from Sargasso of Space, a 1931 story by Golden Age science fiction great Edmond Hamilton:

Kent and Liggett prepared to don their space-helmets, and before entering the airlock, Kent turned to Krell.

We also have a nice illustration, from the cover of Astounding Science Fiction.

('transparent glassite helmets' from Sargasso of Space)

Manly Wade Wellman is usually credited with the creation of the phrase "space helmet" (see space helmet) in his novella The Disc-Men of Jupiter. However, since both stories were published in September of 1931, I'd call it a tie, wouldn't you?

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