Notable firsts from World War I

U.S. soldiers are seen in a trench putting on gas masks in an undated World War One photo. World War One pioneered many “firsts” in technological, scientific and societal innovations. Chemical weapons in the form of deadly poison gases were used for the first time, leading quickly to the development of countermeasures like the first gas masks. (REUTERS/Handout via U.S. Library of Congress)

U.S. soldiers of the 1st Division advance to seize and hold Cantigny, France on May 28, 1918. World War One pioneered many “firsts” in technological, scientific and societal innovations. Steel helmets were used for the first time as protective headgear for soldiers. (REUTERS/Handout via U.S. National Archives)

L-boat submarines are seen stationed in the Azores during World War One. World War One pioneered many “firsts” in technological, scientific and societal innovations. Submarines were used in mass numbers for the first time in naval warfare. (REUTERS/Handout via U.S. Navy)

Rear Adm. Victor Blue (left center) chief of the Bureau of Navigation, inspects female yeomen on the grounds of the Washington Monument in a 1918 photo. World War One pioneered many “firsts” in technological, scientific and societal innovations. The first officially enlisted women appeared in the U.S. military as the U.S. Navy created a reserve force which allowed enlisted women to work as yeomen, radio operators, nurses, or in other support roles. (REUTERS/Handout via U.S. National Archives)

Soldiers follow a British Mark IV tank at Ribecourt la Tour, near Cambrai, during the Battle of Cambrai, November 20, 1917. World War One pioneered many “firsts” in technological, scientific and societal innovations. Tanks were invented as a means of breaking the trench warfare stalemate. (REUTERS/Handout/Files)

A British Mark IV tank falls into a trench at Ribecourt la Tour, near Cambrai, during the Battle of Cambrai, November 20, 1917. World War One pioneered many “firsts” in technological, scientific and societal innovations. Tanks were invented as a means of breaking the trench warfare stalemate. (REUTERS/Handout/Files)

British soldiers wait in the trenches on the Western Front during the First World War in this undated file photo. World War One pioneered many “firsts” in technological, scientific and societal innovations. Steel helmets were used for the first time as protective headgear for soldiers. Field telephones and wireless communications were regularly used for the first time to coordinate military movements. (REUTERS/Files)

A Renault truck outfitted with mobile X-ray equipment is seen in an undated World War One photo. World War One pioneered many “firsts” in technological, scientific and societal innovations. Mobile X-rays were developed to aid doctors in performing battlefield surgeries. (REUTERS/Handout via U.S. Army)

The destroyed town of Passchendaele is seen from an aerial reconnaissance photograph taken December 5, 1917. World War One pioneered many “firsts” in technological, scientific and societal innovations. Aircraft were used in war en masse for the first time, for both air to air combat and for reconnaissance. (REUTERS/Handout via U.S. National Defense Intelligence College)

Six U.S. soldiers, with five of them wearing gas masks and the other one holding his throat are seen in an undated photo probably used for training purposes during World War One. World War One pioneered many “firsts” in technological, scientific and societal innovations. Chemical weapons in the form of deadly poison gases were used for the first time, leading quickly to the development of countermeasures like the first gas masks. (REUTERS/Handout via U.S. Library of Congress)

A photograph shows German soldiers in a dugout during World War One, with a soldier on the left using a field telephone. World War One pioneered many “firsts” in technological, scientific and societal innovations. Field telephones and wireless communications were regularly used for the first time to coordinate military movements. (REUTERS/Handout via U.S. Library of Congress)

The British aircraft carrier HMS Argus is seen in British waters, circa late 1918, painted in wartime “dazzle” camouflage. World War One pioneered many “firsts” in technological, scientific and societal innovations. Aircraft carriers were used for the first time, with the HMS Argus setting the template for future carriers capable of allowing planes to both take off and land on ships. (REUTERS/Handout via U.S. Naval Historical Center)

The Big Four Allied leaders of World War One, also known as the Council of Four, British Prime Minister David Lloyd George, Italian Premier Vittorio Emanuele Orlando, French Premier Georges Clemenceau and President Woodrow Wilson are seen in Versailles at the Paris peace conference, May 27, 1919. World War One pioneered many “firsts” in technological, scientific and societal innovations. Woodrow Wilson became the first U.S. president to make an official trip to Europe for the Paris peace conference. (REUTERS/Handout via U.S. Library of Congress)

An American World War One observation balloon is seen in an undated handout photo originally released December 9, 1917. World War One pioneered many “firsts” in technological, scientific and societal innovations. (REUTERS/Handout via U.S. Library of Congress)

U.S. soldiers of Company B, 165th Infantry Regiment, 42d Division, await German patrols near Hazavant, France on September 14, 1918. World War One pioneered many “firsts” in technological, scientific and societal innovations. Steel helmets were used for the first time as protective headgear for soldiers. (REUTERS/Handout via U.S. National Archives)

The 37-mm gun section of the 2nd Division is seen in combat against German Forces in an undated World War One photo. World War One pioneered many “firsts” in technological, scientific and societal innovations. Machine guns were regularly employed for the first time, forever altering the battlefield. (REUTERS/Handout via U.S. National Archives)

An Army nurse assists with treatment of a patient in an undated World War One photo. World War One pioneered many “firsts” in technological, scientific and societal innovations. Blood banks were created for the first time to help stabilize the wounded from blood loss. (REUTERS/Handout via U.S. Army Nurse Corps)

U.S. artillerymen fire a 75mm gun toward Montsec from a position near Beaumont, France on September 12, 1918. World War One pioneered many “firsts” in technological, scientific and societal innovations. It was the first major war where a majority of casualties were inflicted by artillery. (REUTERS/Handout via U.S. National Archives)

1st Lt. Eddie Rickenbacker, America’s most successful World War One fighter ace, is seen next to a biplane in an undated photo. World War One pioneered many “firsts” in technological, scientific and societal innovations. Aircraft were deployed in war en masse for the first time, for both air to air combat and for reconnaissance. (REUTERS/Handout via U.S. National Archives)

An officer receives a camera and its film to be processed in the field in an undated photo from World War One. World War One pioneered many “firsts” in technological, scientific and societal innovations. Aircraft were deployed in war en masse for the first time, for both air to air combat and for reconnaissance. (REUTERS/Handout via National Defense Intelligence College)

Notable firsts from World War I

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