The Camoufleurs

Modern camouflage began in 1915, when, after a crushing defeat by the Germans, the French army abandoned their stylish white gloves and red pantaloons and enlisted a cadre of artists to develop stealthier attire. The U.S. followed suit in 1917. In addition to hand-painted uniforms, these camoufleurs created false bridges, decoy tanks, and, as seen above, paper-mache horse carcasses that snipers used as blinds.