John Brockman in his greatcoat, ca. 1917, Camp Funston, Kansas. Greatcoats, heavy wool coats, are sometimes confused with trench coats; they look alike, and both were worn by soldiers in World War I. Greatcoats stayed warm when wet, but became soggy and heavy. Trench coats were designed as a lightweight yet water-repellent alternative, and were developed by Thomas Burberry during World War I. All photographs courtesy of Margaret Brockman Teall, Barbara Brockman Crouse, and Madelyn Teall Gould.