Arthur Bulbulian
From facial prosthetics to oxygen masks for aviators
Arthur Bulbulian was an Armenian American dentist and specialist in facial prosthetics. Born in the Kayseri region in 1900, he moved to the United States in 1920. His work combined medical knowledge, sculptural skill and the design of devices fitted closely to the human face.
At Mayo Clinic, he collaborated with Walter Boothby and Randolph Lovelace. Their achievements included the BLB oxygen mask, named after the three collaborators. Bulbulian also participated in developing the A-14 aviation mask, helping address the problem of supplying oxygen during high-altitude flight.
He directed the Mayo Medical Museum and created educational exhibits. His career shows how a precise understanding of form could meet medical requirements in practical devices for patients and pilots. Bulbulian died in 1996, leaving contributions to both facial rehabilitation and aviation medicine.