N95 Face Masks

Face masks went from being a quirky Michael Jackson fashion statement to a global survival kit faster than you could say "Thriller"!

The Journey from Pop Icon to Pandemic Necessity
In the 1990s, face masks were mostly an industrial tool and a rare medical accessory. By the early 2000s, they started gaining traction during events like the SARS outbreak, but remained a niche item2. Then came COVID-19, transforming these little rectangles of fabric into the ultimate must-have accessory of 2020.

Pandemic Popularity Explosion
The transformation was dramatic - global mask sales surged from a modest 12.5 billion in 2019 to a mind-blowing 378.9 billion in 2020, essentially becoming the world's most unexpected fashion trend. That's approximately 50 masks per person globally - talk about going viral in the most literal sense!

Cultural Shift
While Michael Jackson made masks look mysterious, the pandemic made them look essential. From being a pop culture oddity to a public health necessity, face masks completed their epic journey from "weird" to "we can't live without them" in just a few short months.