The Mechanical Gorilla Mask was developed at Max Factor Studios in Hollywood, California, around 1940. This mechanical mask was designed to simulate a gorilla for the film The Ape, which starred Boris Karloff. The exterior consisted of an aluminum and duralumin armature, while the internal frame was composed of steel springs and levers. These mechanisms enabled realistic jaw movements and facial expressions. A leather covering, made from polished chamois and carefully stitched, provided a fur-like appearance that completed the synthetic gorilla design.

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In 1940, according to "Mechanical Secrets of Movie Gorillas," the cost of a fully mechanical gorilla, including its custom exterior, was $3,000.