Innovative Military Advancements That We Use In Everyday Life
By Jack Ripley | May 9, 2024
From "Duck Tape" to Duct Tape
Since the dawn of man the symbiotic relationship between warfare and technological innovation is undeniable. From the ancient development of bronze weaponry to the modern intricacies of cyber warfare, conflict has often been the crucible in which groundbreaking advancements are forged. Yet perhaps nowhere is this convergence more apparent than in the seamless integration of military technologies into our daily lives. Indeed, many of the conveniences we now take for granted trace their origins to the exigencies of warfare, their evolution mirroring the shifting sands of battlefields and strategic imperatives. Take, for example, the internet—an indispensable tool in our interconnected world—which, born from the necessity of maintaining communications resilience in the face of potential nuclear devastation, now serves as the linchpin of global connectivity. This phenomenon, where innovations conceived out of military necessity find enduring utility in civilian domains, underscores the remarkable adaptability of human ingenuity and the unforeseen dividends of addressing the exigencies of conflict
Duct tape is a familiar household item today, but it was originally developed for military use during World War II. The U.S. military needed a durable, waterproof tape that could seal ammunition boxes and repair various equipment quickly and effectively in the field. In response, a company named Johnson & Johnson created an adhesive tape made from a rubber-based adhesive that could withstand water, dirt, and rough handling. This new tape was initially called "duck tape" because it could repel water like a duck's feathers. Soldiers found it incredibly versatile, using it for everything from fixing machinery to patching tents. Its usefulness made it popular among the troops, who continued to find new uses for it.
After the war, the tape entered the civilian market. It began to be sold in hardware stores, where it was used to connect heating and air conditioning ducts, leading to its new name, "duct tape." Homeowners and handymen soon discovered its strength and flexibility, making it a staple in toolboxes across America.
The Digital Revolution Started in the Military
Computers were first made during World War II to help the military. They needed machines to figure out where artillery shells would land and to crack the codes of enemy messages. One of the earliest computers, the ENIAC, was built in the 1940s for the U.S. Army. It was able to do math in just a few minutes that used to take hours. The British also made an important early computer called the Colossus, which helped break German codes. It wasn't as versatile as the ENIAC, but it was important for understanding enemy messages and planning military strategies.
After the war, people discovered how useful computers could be for other tasks, not just military operations. And as technology improved, computers became smaller, cheaper, and more powerful. By the 1980s, personal computers started entering households, transforming from tools of military significance to important tools of daily life, affecting work, education, and entertainment. This big change kicked off what we now call the digital revolution. It's a great example of how something made for the military can end up benefiting everyone.
Pringles: Dehydrated, Processed Potatoes That Don't Break Easily
One big problem with snacks like chips is that they often break, especially in packages sent to soldiers who need their food to last long and stay strong during shipping. To solve this, the U.S. Army's Quartermaster Corps teamed up with the USDA. They wanted to make a potato product that could handle being moved around a lot and stored for a long time. Their solution was to dry out potatoes into flakes and then make them into chips.
The making of these chips was a complicated process that took several steps. Creating these chips took a lot of science and many years. A chemist working on the development of this new type of chip eventually designed them in a special saddle shape so they wouldn’t break easily. But the first chip prototypes didn't taste good at all. So, this chemist kept the design but had someone else work on making them taste better. This eventually led to the creation of what we know now as Pringles. Pringles have come a long way from their military beginnings and are now a popular snack everywhere.
Stylish and Practical: Aviator Sunglasses
Aviator sunglasses, now a cool fashion accessory, were initially developed for military use. In the 1930s, pilots in the U.S. Air Force faced challenges with intense glare and high-altitude sunlight that standard flying goggles did not address. In response, in 1936, Bausch & Lomb, a U.S. company specializing in eye health products, was asked to create a solution. The result was the first pair of aviator sunglasses designed to protect pilots' eyes from the harsh conditions encountered at high altitudes.
These sunglasses had large, teardrop-shaped lenses that covered more of the eye area, reducing light from entering from any angle. The lenses were made from green-tinted glass that could filter out the blue and white hues of the sky, thus reducing glare without obscuring vision. Dubbed "Ray-Ban Aviators" because they literally "banned" rays from the sun, these sunglasses were given to pilots during World War II and quickly became an important part of their gear. After the war, their practicality and stylish appearance helped them transition smoothly into civilian life.
From the Military to Outdoor Adventures: Jeeps
The Jeep's story began during World War II when the U.S. Army needed a light, four-wheel-drive vehicle that could handle rugged terrain. In response to this need, the American automobile companies Willys-Overland and Ford developed the Jeep, with Willys-Overland winning the primary contract due to its powerful engine. The Jeep quickly proved indispensable to the Allied forces during the war, valued for its versatility, reliability, and off-road capability. Its design allowed it to perform a variety of roles from transporting troops and equipment to serving as an ambulance. The Jeep's rugged construction meant it could withstand harsh conditions and challenging battlefields.
After the war, the remaining Jeeps were sold to the public, and the Willys-Overland company began to produce versions for everyday life. The Jeep quickly became popular. Today, Jeeps are ideal for outdoor adventures and stand out for their off-road capability.
Preserving Food in War and in Everyday Life
Canned food started as a military invention aimed at solving the problem of preserving food for soldiers. The journey of canned food from the battlefield to the kitchen table started in the early 19th century. During the Napoleonic Wars, the French military offered a cash prize to anyone who could create a method to preserve food for troops on long campaigns. In 1809, a French chef and confectioner named Nicolas Appert claimed the prize by developing a method of sealing food in airtight jars, which were then sterilized by boiling.
Building on Appert’s discovery, the English inventor Peter Durand introduced a tin-coated iron container in 1810. He received a British patent for this idea, which quickly replaced glass containers due to its lighter weight and inability to break. These early canned foods were mainly used by the military and explorers because they could be stored for long periods and transported easily. By the mid-19th century, with the improvement of canning technology and production methods, canned foods became more widely available and affordable for the general public. They provided a convenient, safe, and long-lasting way to store food.
Dry Shaving: Electric Razors
Jacob Schick, an American entrepreneur and inventor, is credited with inventing the electric razor. Inspired by his experiences during World War I, Schick wanted to create a shaving device that would allow soldiers to shave quickly and efficiently without the need for water and shaving cream, which were not always available in the field.
In 1930, Schick patented the first electric razor, which was first marketed to the military. The convenience of dry shaving made the electric razor perfect for soldiers, allowing them to keep a clean-shaven appearance easily, which was often required by military regulations. The electric razor quickly found its way into the commercial market for the general public. It was easy to use and convenient, which made it popular among civilians.
The "Radarange" or Microwave Ovens
Microwave ovens were originally developed by an engineer named Percy Spencer, who was working on radar magnetrons for Raytheon, a major American defense contractor. He discovered the cooking properties of microwave radiation quite by accident. While testing radar equipment during WWII, Spencer noticed that a candy bar in his pocket had melted. Intrigued by this, he carried out more experiments using popcorn kernels, which also quickly popped when exposed to the radar waves. Realizing the potential for a new cooking method, Spencer and Raytheon developed the first microwave oven, initially called the "Radarange," in 1945.
The original microwave ovens were large, expensive, and mainly used in commercial settings, including naval ships. It wasn't until 1967 that the first affordable and reasonably sized microwave oven was available for home use. Microwave ovens drastically reduced the time required to prepare meals and reheat food. As a result, they become indispensable in the kitchen.
An Accidental Discovery: Superglue
Superglue is a powerful adhesive known for its fast bonding capabilities, and it originated from military research. During World War II, scientists were searching for materials to make clear plastic gun sights. In 1942, Dr. Harry Coover, a researcher at Eastman Kodak, stumbled upon cyanoacrylates. Initially, he rejected the substance because it stuck to everything it touched, making it more of a nuisance in his project.
However, the potential of cyanoacrylates was revisited in 1951 when Dr. Coover was working on an experiment for jet canopies. He noticed cyanoacrylates had a unique ability to bond materials quickly and strongly without the need for heat or pressure. Seeing how useful this could be, Dr. Coover thought it could be turned into a product. Eastman Kodak took this idea and made it into a glue that people could use easily. They started selling it in 1958 as "Eastman 910," which most people now know as "Superglue." It wasn’t just good for fixing things around the house but also important in other areas like medicine. During the Vietnam War, doctors used Superglue to quickly close wounds, which helped speed up emergency medical care.
Precision, Thanks to the Military: GPS
GPS, or Global Positioning System, is a technology that tells you your exact location and time anywhere on Earth. It started as a tool for the military. The U.S. Department of Defense created GPS in the 1970s to help soldiers know where they were and where they were going. By 1995, GPS had 24 satellites in space that worked together to give this information in real time.
In the 1980s, the U.S. government saw that GPS could be helpful for everyday people, not just the military. However, until 2000, they kept the GPS signals weaker for regular users — a policy called "Selective Availability." They did this to ensure enemies couldn't use GPS the same way the U.S. military could. However, in 2000, this policy ended, and everyone could use GPS with full accuracy. This change led to big improvements in things like car navigation systems and apps on smartphones that tell you where to go.
