It Takes A Major Conflict To Push The Limits Of Ingenuity

WWII was a horrendous, tragic, and brutal conflict. However, under these terrible circumstances came some of the most important innovations of the 20th century. From jet engines to computers, many of these items affect our lives to the point where it's hard to picture a world without them, and only in the direst conditions were doctors able to make such lifesaving advancements in medicine. Here are the 20 most impactful inventions that came out of WWII. 

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1. Jet Engines

Where would we be without air travel? The jet engine was developed independently by two engineers: one in Germany and one in Britain. The battle for air supremacy between the Allied and Axis powers revolutionized air travel. 

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2. Skin Grafts

Although some version of skin grafting has been used for thousands of years, it was perfected during WWII, driven by the need to treat severe burns. A British surgeon developed new techniques with greatly improved survival rates. 

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3. Microwave Technology

Microwave technology was developed to improve radar capabilities, which enhanced the Allied powers' ability to detect enemy forces. After the war, an American engineer noticed his chocolate bar melted during radar testing, prompting the invention of the microwave oven. 

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4. Smokescreens

Smokescreens are clouds of smoke used to conceal military operations. Smoke grenades, smoke pots, and smoke dispensers mounted on vehicles were developed by both sides. Similar evasion tactics are still used today. 

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5. Flamethrowers

Flamthrowers were developed during the war and used for clearing bunkers and trenches. The US even mounted them on tanks to use as a weapon. However, their limited range has since made them more or less obsolete.

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6. Super Glue

Superglue was accidentally invented during WWII when trying to develop clear plastic gun sights. The material used stuck to everything. It was originally rendered useless until it was re-examined years later. 

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7. Blood Transfusions

While blood transfusions were already used in WWI, WWII saw the introduction of blood banks, and the techniques were greatly improved. Millions of lives are saved by blood transfusions each year.

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8. Jet Bombers

WWII jet bombers were a lethal combination of firepower and speed, revolutionizing aerial warfare. Jet bombers were developed by Germany, but the country's dwindling resources at that point in the war meant that it didn't make a big impact. However, it influenced modern strategic bombers like the B-52.

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9. Radar

One of the most impactful innovations of the war was the development of radar technology. It allowed militaries to locate enemy ships, submarines, and planes before they were visible. 

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10. Penicillin

One of the first antibiotics, penicillin has saved an estimated 500 million. While it was invented in 1928, it wasn't until WWII that it was mass-produced and widely used to treat wounded soldiers.

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11. Computers

Britain developed Colossus, the first digital computer, to break German codes. This laid the foundation for modern computing. 

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12. Duct Tape

Duct tape was invented as a strong, water-resistant tape to seal ammo boxes. It was developed by the mother of two Navy soldiers and adapted for household use after the war.

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13. Jeeps

The jeep was invented as an all-terrain, lightweight, and durable vehicle for US soldiers during WWII. After the war, it was adapted for civilian needs, influencing modern SUVs.

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14. Synthetic Rubber

As Japan occupied the Southeast Asian countries where most rubber plantations were, the allied forces had to contend with a natural rubber shortage. In response, the US government launched an initiative, bringing together companies like Goodyear, Firestone, and DuPont to develop a synthetic alternative. 

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15. The Slinky

This timeless child's toy was actually invented by accident by an American Navy engineer during the war. He knocked a tension spring off a shelf in his workshop and was amused by the way it appeared to walk, so he and his wife decided to market it as a toy.

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16. Guided Missiles

Germany developed the world's first long-range ballistic missiles during the war. Though they were introduced too late in the war to make any major impact, they influenced modern cruise missiles and space exploration.

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17. Walkie-Talkies

The first walkie-talkies were developed by Motorola as a way of providing portable two-way communication to soldiers. They made it easier to coordinate attacks and share key information.

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18. Ballpoint Pens

Ballpoint pens were developed by a wartime journalist who was fed up with the impracticality of fountain pens that were prone to leak and smudge. He and his chemist brother came up with the rolling ball technology that distributes ink evenly and is smoother to write with.

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19. Helicopters

Helicopters were first used by the military in WWII, predominantly for rescue missions. Though they weren't widely used in WWII, they became crucial tools for medical evacuations and search-and-rescue missions after the war. 

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20. Atomic Bomb

The invention of the atomic bomb had horrendously tragic yet impactful consequences when Allied forces used it to obliterate two Japanese cities, effectively ending the war. Its creation changed geopolitics forever and began the nuclear age, with world powers stockpiling nuclear weapons as a deterrent. 

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