The camouflage pattern isn’t really new to anybody who’s served in the military. Heck, even ordinary people know what camouflage is for, whether that be on a soldier’s uniform, military vehicles, aircraft, and military vessels.

In layman’s terms, the usage of the camouflage pattern draws from the need to blend in with the environment to avoid detection by the enemies. This is done by evaluating the type of terrain and the commonly found plants and shrubbery that exist in said environments. Camouflages typically have different colors, patterns, and materials so that they can effectively move without being compromised – this is true for all personnel, vehicles, aircraft, and vessels on active duty.

So, in World War I, why would military naval experts and artists opt to do the opposite by standing out?

Remember those vividly colored patterns they used to paint on ships and, to a lesser extent, on aircraft too? Wasn’t it counterproductive to razzle-dazzle a ship when the enemy can easily spot you in open waters?