War — is a scary thing, but history knows paradoxes: many technologies created for destruction have become life-saving or simply convenient household items in peacetime. What once helped at the front helps to prepare breakfast, take photos or even surf the Internet today.
Here are some amazing examples of items born in war but left at peace with us.
Adhesive tape (scotch tape): armor for ammunition and plumbers
During World War II, an American company Johnson & Johnson she received an order to create a waterproof sticky tape with which soldiers could quickly seal ammunition boxes. Thus, in 1942, “duct tape” — was born, a strong, fabric adhesive tape that could withstand moisture and dirt.
Soldiers quickly found hundreds of other uses for her: fixing weapons, shoes, even airplanes. After the war, the invention of “migrated to civilian life, becoming a universal repair tool. In the 1950s, the tape began to be used to seal ventilation pipes (ducts), and that's when it got the familiar name — “duct tape”. Today, Scotch — is an integral part of everyday life, although it was born on the battlefield.
Microwave: a side effect of radars
During World War II, British and American engineers developed magnetrons — devices to generate the microwaves needed in radar systems. Once a company engineer Raytheon Percy Spencer, working next to the radar, noticed that the chocolate in his pocket had melted. So he accidentally discovered that microwaves can quickly heat food.
In 1947, the company produced the first industrial microwave oven Radarange. She weighed over 300 kg and cost as a car. But over time, the technology has become cheaper — and today there is a microwave in almost every kitchen. Its roots are — not in cooking, but in developments for military radars.
Sneakers and sports shoes: from army boots to Nike
During the First World War, the British Army needed lighter footwear for soldiers who had to move quickly through the swampy terrain. This is how the first rubber soles with — relief appeared, the predecessors of modern sneaker soles. In the 1920–30s, manufacturers began adapting military materials (canvas, rubber, spikes) for sports shoes.
After World War II, Nike, Adidas and Puma actively used military developments of —, including cushioning technology and synthetic materials created for parachutes and uniforms. So every pair of comfortable sneakers has echoes of army labs in their “DNA”.
Instant coffee: a drink of soldiers that has become a daily convenience
During World War II, American soldiers received powdered instant coffee — conveniently, quickly, without the need for cooking. Although the first patent for instant coffee came as early as 1901, it was the war that made it massive.
Company Nestlé launched production Nescafé for the US Army, providing fronts with thousands of tons of dry drink. She did not spoil, weighed little and added energy. After the war, the soldiers returned home with a new habit of — and instant coffee became part of peaceful life, from offices to student dormitories.
Internet and GPS: military developments without which we cannot imagine the world
Most modern communication technologies were also born out of war. In the 1960s, the US Department of Defense created a network ARPANET <TAG1> system for information exchange between military computers, even in the case of a nuclear attack. It became the basis of the Internet.
GPS (satellite navigation system) was also originally a purely military — project to locate submarines and missiles. Over time, these technologies have opened up to civilian use, and now they help us find a coffee shop nearby or not get lost in the mountains.
What was created to fight today connects people and saves lives.
