Camouflage tactic utilized in WWI not necessarily to conceal, but to confuse. Distorting the outline of a ship which would confuse the enemy--making it difficult to estimate its size, speed and type upon approach.
I would love to design the patterns on one of these! Just learned about them today. My dress pattern sparked the conversation and now has me itching to learn more about them. What a great name too!
(images via internet)