List of military inventions

A military invention is an invention that was first created by a military. There are many inventions that were originally created by the military and subsequently found civilian uses.

Military inventions

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Name Date invented Invented by Original purpose Civilian uses
Aircraft tracking radar mid-1930s United Kingdom Royal Air Force Early warning radar, air defence systems Air traffic control systems, microwave oven
Walkie-talkie 1930s[1] Canada Canada (Donald Hings, Alfred J. Gross) Portable two-way radio communications system for military Portable radio communications – business, public safety, marine, amateur radio, CB radio
Night vision 1939 - 1940s United States United States Visibility for military personnel in low light situations Low light photography, surveillance
Duct tape 1942 United States United States Sealing ammunition cases Multiple uses
Ballistic missiles 1940s Nazi Germany Nazi Germany

Soviet Union Soviet Union

 Long range attack Space exploration, launch of communication, weather and global positioning satellites
Nuclear technology 1940s United States United States

United Kingdom United Kingdom
Canada Canada
(Manhattan Project)

 Nuclear weapons, large scale destruction Nuclear medicine, nuclear power
Jet engine 1940s United Kingdom Royal Air Force (Frank Whittle)

Nazi Germany Nazi Germany (Hans von Ohain)

 Jet fighters, jet bombers Airliners
Digital photography 1960s United States United States

Soviet Union Soviet Union

 Spy satellites, eliminated the need to recover deorbited film canisters Cameras
Internet 1960s[2] United States United States (ARPANET)

United Kingdom United Kingdom (NPL network)
France France (CYCLADES)

 Reliable computer networking Led to invention of the World Wide Web by British scientist Tim Berners-Lee; subsequently widespread availability of information, telecommunication and electronic commerce
Satellite navigation 1970s United States United States Air Force

Soviet Union Soviet Union

 Nuclear weapons force multiplier, increased warhead accuracy through precise navigation Navigation, personal tracking

See also

References

  1. ↑ Don-Hings-Walkie-Talkie-Development.PDF
  2. ↑ Kim, Byung-Keun (2005). Internationalising the Internet the Co-evolution of Influence and Technology. Edward Elgar. pp. 51–55. ISBN 1845426754.
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