Evolution of Camouflage

From World War 1 to Modern-Day Hunting Camo

Mar 14, 2009 Laurie Lee Dovey

Camouflage is biological and as old as the relationship between predator and prey. Animals, birds, reptiles and man all rely on camouflage for protection.

Camouflage is the ability to disguise an object, in plain sight, to conceal it from something or someone. All creatures rely on the art of coloration to avoid detection by enemies.

Abbot H. Thayer Identified How Animals Conceal Themselves

In the early 1890s, American artist Abbott H. Thayer formulated a concealing coloration theory based on the study of animals. He further studied how coloration might be used in military applications for camouflage.

Thayer identified two ways that animals conceal themselves, by blending into the environment or by disruption -- the incorporation of strong random patterns of color to flatten contours and break up outlines. The latter causes creatures to seemingly disappear or look to be something they’re not.

Camouflage Theories Used During WWI & WWII

Thayer’s law of obliterative counter shading received official acceptance and became the foundation for modern-day camouflage when the Allies and Germans used his theories during World War I (1914 - 1918) in efforts to camouflage military personnel and equipment.

The first military section de camouflage was established by the French in 1915. The units were largely made up of camoufleurs (from the French word camoufler meaning to blind or veil) -- artists, designers and architects in civilian life who were military camouflage experts during wartime.

The French employed elaborate devices to conceal military objectives and industrial plants. Using wire screens as a foundation for foliage, false landscapes were designed. Ships were also dazzle painted, rather than concealed. Radical paint patterns broke up the ship’s lines and made determining the ship's course difficult. The British called the camouflage scheme dazzle painting. Americans called it razzle dazzle.

Camouflage was further improved and used on a large scale by all combatants during World War II (1939 – 1945). For instance, mountain divisions in Italy successfully used snow camo.

Modern Hunting Camouflage by Jim Crumley, Bill Jordan and Toxey Haas

The concealing pattern, commonly called WWII camo, made its way into the American wilderness on the backs of hunters, often veterans, who understood its obscuring properties and the advantages camo could provide them. This was the birth of the modern hunting camouflage industry. However, 35 years passed before the unveiling of a camouflage pattern designed specifically for hunters.

Jim Crumley, Bill Jordan and Toxey Haas are the three kings of modern day hunting camouflage. They innovated Trebark (1980), Realtree (1986) and Mossy Oak (1986), respectively. Their innovations and designs changed the face of hunting forever.

Today, modern hunting camouflage is found on more than clothing. Virtually every device used for hunting, and plenty of leisure products, can be found with a camo finish.

The copyright of the article Evolution of Camouflage in Hunting & Fishing is owned by Laurie Lee Dovey. Permission to republish Evolution of Camouflage in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

The French Ship Glorie Shows Dazzle Painting	Camo is as Old as the Predator-Prey Relationship	Camo Was Improved and Used Widely in WWII
This Modern Snow Camo Has Dazzle Characteristics