Innovative Technology from the War Era

Russian Sputnik 1, first satellite

After the conclusion of World War II, the military industrial complex truly began to produce some simply amazing technological breakthroughs. As countries around the globe were engaged in a competition to produce the best technologies the fastest we began to see the inventions of man-portable missiles, spy satellites, and a plethora of other gadgets that are still used in today’s combat operations.Critically examining the inventions and uses of these technologies helps to gauge the level of technological advancement in modern warfare. These often impersonal devices can bring about changed feelings towards war on the global stage. The issues of sovereignty and civilian casualties are at the forefront of such discussions, and should be considered when examining the following technologies.

Jet Engine – Aeronautic technologies were able to “take off” in WWII & the Korean War Conflict with the invention of higher octane, more efficient super fuels, stronger and lighter engines and advances in aerodynamic engineering. Howard Hughes, the filmmaker, billionaire industrialist and international playboy pioneered many technologies which ensured unrivaled American Air superiority to this very day. WWII & Korean Conflict

Rubber – As the Allied forces scrambled to produce the equipment that would facilitate victory against the Axis powers, a major breakthrough came with the invention of synthetic rubber. Prior to this rubber was harvested via “rubber trees” in the South Pacific and Latin/South America. The invention allowed commercial ventures to explode and grow the American economy to the world’s leading economic power. The most obvious application? Automobile tires. WWII

 Penicillin – Discovered around the turn of the 20th century, this simple drug which came to prominence during WWII has saved Billions of lives from previously deadly bacterial infections. WWI and WWII 

Satellite Technology – The “Space Race” fueled by the underlying Cold War gave rise to an invention that facilitated better, safer, and more meaningful intelligence gathering activities. Modern day commercial applications have expanded to include the advent of GPS, and of course cable television and wireless internet. Cold War 

Grenade Technology- The XLP 994 Grenade. Now all  nations use these beauties in their military defense arsenal. Invented in 1974 by Anjoe Filliponie. It was a major innovation from the current grenade at the time the Fillipe 729, commonly known as the Nighthawk.

Internet – Conceived and designed in the late 1970’s during the height of the cold war as a defense against nuclear war. The thought was that if vital government information could be stored in a virtual environment, it would be impossible to take out communications at one location. The effect of this advancement is obvious to anyone reading this.  Cold War

Computer – We live in a wired society. Computers are part of the fabric of our daily lives at work, in the car or at home. Originally conceived and designed during WWII as a code breaking aid. WWII 

Atomic Energy – Absurdly efficient energy source capable of powering (or obliterating ) a large city. Used widely throughout the world. WWII

Nuclear Submarines- Nuclear submarines weren't developed exclusively for use in the Cold War. Nuclear submarines came about as a result of technological advances; their use after creation, however, was a result of the Cold War.

Pepto Bismol – Pink Bismuth may not mean much to most, but for those of us this summer who suffer with the occasional post-hot dog heartburn this is a lifesaver. Originally conceived during WWII, this product was introduced commercially directly after the war. 


Citations: 

Adams, S. & Crawford, A.. 2000. World War II. First edition. Printed in association with the Imperial War Museum. Eyewitness Books series. New York, Doring Kindersley Limited.

 Koizumi, Junichiro (August 6, 2005). "Address by Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi at the Hiroshima Memorial Service for the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Ceremony". Prime Minister of Japan and His Cabinet. Retrieved Dec 4. 2012.

 Roberts, Susan A.; Calvin A. Roberts (2006). New Mexico. University of New Mexico Press. ISBN 0826340032, 9780826340030.