The conventional mast existed in warships, mainly for flag signalling purposes, until the First World War, when the need for increased arcs of gunfire and the need to house many gun control personnel above the gun smoke caused the introduction of tripod masts.
Njengesiqhelo uphithano lwabakho kumlo wenqanawa, ngenxa yezizathu zophawu lweflegi, kwada kwayimfazwe yokuqala yelizwe, apho kwafuneka kongezwe isiqingatha sezazinge zompu womlilo nemfuneko kwizindlu nabaqeshwa bokuphatha imipu emininzi ngaphezu komqhumo wemipu ebangwa sisingeniso sesixhaso semilenze emithathu yemasti.