At first thought, the scientific advancements made during World War II are often associated with militaristic technology made for the purpose of winning wars. The development of tanks, combat capable aircrafts, and of course, the atomic bomb can distract from the many technological developments that led to the creation of items such as microwave ovens and penicillin which are incorporated into the daily lives of many people [1]. Although scientific and technological developments during World War II were made with the purpose of ending the war, many of the advances made had practical applications outside of combat and would prove beneficial after the war had ended, not just for the United States but the entire world.
With the need for superior combat aircrafts, battleships, and other fuel-power machinery during the war, the development of jet engines and nuclear power seemed inevitable in hindsight [2]. While it may not be too surprising, advances in fueling efficiency and energy generation proved to indeed be very beneficial after the war had ended. However, perhaps the most profound innovation made during World War II was the creation of something unexpected- the first computer. Formed with the purpose of decrypting German and Axis-Power messages, Bletchley Park- the United Kingdom's center for Government Code and Cypher School, served as the birth place of the first computer [3]. Originally made to intercept and interpret enemy messages, the computer would later develop more applications and would eventually become a necessity of daily life. While the computer may have exponentially more applications and benefits today than it did during World War II, it is argued by many historians that the few applications it had during that time were enough to reduce the length of the war by two to four years in favor of the allies.
With the need for superior combat aircrafts, battleships, and other fuel-power machinery during the war, the development of jet engines and nuclear power seemed inevitable in hindsight [2]. While it may not be too surprising, advances in fueling efficiency and energy generation proved to indeed be very beneficial after the war had ended. However, perhaps the most profound innovation made during World War II was the creation of something unexpected- the first computer. Formed with the purpose of decrypting German and Axis-Power messages, Bletchley Park- the United Kingdom's center for Government Code and Cypher School, served as the birth place of the first computer [3]. Originally made to intercept and interpret enemy messages, the computer would later develop more applications and would eventually become a necessity of daily life. While the computer may have exponentially more applications and benefits today than it did during World War II, it is argued by many historians that the few applications it had during that time were enough to reduce the length of the war by two to four years in favor of the allies.
The computer was one of many technologies that was developed during the war and immediately found applications in the peace era. After it had ended, most technological and scientific advancements that resulted from World War II were converted and applied to roles used to improve the standard of living for most people [4]. However, some technologies had applications that had no apparent application to the era following the war; mostly notably the Atomic Bomb. While the Atomic Bomb may have forced Japan’s surrender in World War II, the development of more bombs similar to it during the Cold War created tension between the United States and the Soviet Union. However, while there was indeed a “Nuclear arms race” between the U.S. and U.S.S.R. there were other races that helped to improve technology not just for the United States, but the rest of the world. This included the “Space race” which resulted in satellites being put into orbit, humans going into space and of course, Neil Armstrong becoming not just the first American, but also the first human to set foot on the moon [5].
Unlike the effects on the economy and political affairs, the scientific and technological advancements made as a result of the war benefited the entire world, not just the United States. The benefits of new technology may not have justified the war for every country, but it did for the United States because further developments in science and technology helped to further establish the U.S as the most powerful country in the world.
Unlike the effects on the economy and political affairs, the scientific and technological advancements made as a result of the war benefited the entire world, not just the United States. The benefits of new technology may not have justified the war for every country, but it did for the United States because further developments in science and technology helped to further establish the U.S as the most powerful country in the world.
[1] Foley, Sean. "World War II Technology that Changed Warfare - Radar and Bombsights." Johnson & Wales University, February 1, 2011.
[2] Gavrieli, Kfir, Nora Salim, and Armando Yañez. "." THE JET ENGINE: A HISTORICAL INTRODUCTION. http://cs.stanford.edu/people/eroberts/courses/ww2/projects/jet-airplanes/index.html (accessed April 16, 2014).
[3] Edgerton, David. "Technologies of War and Peace."Imperial College of London, April 9, 2013.
www3.imperial.ac.uk/newsandeventspggrp/imperialcollege/newssummary/news_21-5-2013-14-36-56 (accessed April 16, 2014).
[4] Copeland, Jack. "A Brief History of Computing." AlanTuring.net. http://www.alanturing.net/turing_archive/pages/Reference%20Articles/BriefHistofComp.html#Col (accessed April 16, 2014).
[5] Moran, Wayne, Ken Weinberg, and Rachel Fremont-Falletta. Hofstra University, "Sputnik and the Space Race Transform the World." Accessed April 16,2014. people.hofstra.edu/alan_j_singer/CoursePacks/SputnikandtheSpaceRaceTransformtheWorld.pdf.
[2] Gavrieli, Kfir, Nora Salim, and Armando Yañez. "." THE JET ENGINE: A HISTORICAL INTRODUCTION. http://cs.stanford.edu/people/eroberts/courses/ww2/projects/jet-airplanes/index.html (accessed April 16, 2014).
[3] Edgerton, David. "Technologies of War and Peace."Imperial College of London, April 9, 2013.
www3.imperial.ac.uk/newsandeventspggrp/imperialcollege/newssummary/news_21-5-2013-14-36-56 (accessed April 16, 2014).
[4] Copeland, Jack. "A Brief History of Computing." AlanTuring.net. http://www.alanturing.net/turing_archive/pages/Reference%20Articles/BriefHistofComp.html#Col (accessed April 16, 2014).
[5] Moran, Wayne, Ken Weinberg, and Rachel Fremont-Falletta. Hofstra University, "Sputnik and the Space Race Transform the World." Accessed April 16,2014. people.hofstra.edu/alan_j_singer/CoursePacks/SputnikandtheSpaceRaceTransformtheWorld.pdf.