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Samuel Lynch

English Comp II

Prof. Freeland

28 March 2021

A Review Of The Impact Of Military Advancements

War is an integral part of human history. There is no recorded period in which humans

were not fighting. With this continuous conflict comes innovation. As humans advanced in

technology and culture, new ways to kill each other were discovered, but not every technology

conceived in bloodshed has led to bloodshed. Although military research and development are

responsible for many profound advancements that impact civilians and soldiers’ lives, some

stand about among the rest. The advances made in transportation, nuclear engineering, medicine,

and small everyday technologies have had the most significant impact on civilian life.

Examples of the intertwined fate of civilian and military life can be seen throughout

history. It can be seen as far back as the ancient Romans, who constructed an expansive network

of roads to move their military. Rome was an aggressive nation with its sights set on prolonged

expansion. These roads were an efficient way to transport soldiers and massive amounts of goods

and information. Roads redefined travel of the time. These roads proved vital for the nation as a

whole, providing transportation and a proud symbol of the power and prowess of Rome. These

roads aided in the unification of Rome and allowed for the spread of cultures, institutions, and

races (Cartwright). The impact of these roads on civilian life spread beyond just transportation,
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and it began to permeate into the culture of Rome and the Roman people. Roads were not the

only advancements in transportation prompted by military research and funding.

Advancements in transportation go beyond just ways of travel. Many components taken

for granted now were developed for very different purposes. One prime example, highlighted by

the documentary “The Bizarre Origins Of Radar Technology'' by Timeline, Radar. In the 1930s,

Great Britain offered a reward for anyone who could make a “death ray.” One man, “Robert

Watson Watt in his attempts to discover the first ‘death ray’ found instead that he could detect

reflected microwaves off the metal objects like ships and aircrafts”(Timeline). Radar proved

invaluable to the war effort throughout the 1930s and 40s. It provided a way for defenses to

detect incoming enemy forces and prepare for an attack. In today’s world, radar is still an integral

part of any military arsenal, but it has found other uses in the civilian sector, for example,

meteorological detection equipment. Nowadays, one can turn on the news and get a live report of

the weather. Any cloud cover or precipitation of any form can be traced via radar. This

information provides many with an easy way to prepare for their day. It also acts as an early

warning system, except now it detects severe storms and not enemy planes. Radar in the world of

aviation is used for a purpose similar to its original use. It is used every day to keep track of the

thousands of planes that transport goods and people around the world. Radar provides air traffic

controllers with a way to monitor the comings and goings of 4.3 billion people a year (ICAO). It

is only through this surveillance that airports and other planes can maintain safe operating

procedures. Radar is not the only innovation in aviation that comes from the military.

Jet engines, another significant component of nearly every commercial airline in the

world, were developed for military use in the early 1930s (Clarke). Today, these engines are

powerful enough to propel a 910,000 lb Boeing 747 through the air (Boeing 4). Planes like this
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and others have become an integral part of people and cargo’s movement around the world. Jet

engines have provided a fast and affordable way for civilians to travel. Initially developed by

German scientists just before WWII, jet propulsion provided the basis for many war machines.

The impact of these advancements is all around us. Every time someone orders something

online, odds are at least a part of its journey was taken by plane. The introduction of jet engines

into the civilian sector allowed for quicker travel times and made travel more affordable for the

average person. This boom in aviation is what sparked much of the tourist culture we have today.

It was in the 1950s that jet engines started impacting civilian life on a global scale. According to

the UK history learning site, these engines were faster and safer than the engines that were

available ten years previous (Trueman). These advancements in transportation made throughout

history have led to an undeniable spread of culture, goods, and people. Each of these

advancements provided the framework for military success and drastic changes in the way that

people were able to move around the world.

Another significant technological advancement that aids in transportation is the Global

Positioning System, better known as GPS. GPS systems use a network of satellites that track

your location on the Earth from space. Initially developed in the 1960s to track submarines with

nuclear weapons, it has since been adapted for civilian use (Nasa). GPS is still primarily owned

and operated by the United States Airforce. Still, to keep up with civilian and commercial needs,

its use has expanded beyond just the scope of the military. GPS is used by millions every day to

navigate the big cities and the country roads around the world. It has provided a virtual map of

the Earth’s surface that anyone can now navigate. It is used in cars, phones, boats, and planes to

keep track of their locations. Its impact is expansive, as now people don't have to carry around

maps, ask for directions, or worry about getting lost. There are still stories about people getting
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lost by following GPS, but this just shows the trust people have in this technology. People have

become entirely reliant on GPS to navigate big cities with massive networks of roads and

bridges. Transportation is vital for the movement of the military, but many other fields, like

nuclear research and engineering, had their start in the military.

One of the most well-known military technologies and arguably the most impactful

advancement in human history is nuclear energy. The power of the atom bomb put on full display

to the world in 1946 at Hiroshima and Nagasaki, ushered in a new age. Not every impact on

civilian life is good. The end of WW2 was the start of the Cold War, a power struggle primarily

between the Soviet Union and the United States. Much of this “war” was based on the

advancements each country made in the field of nuclear weapons. One of the most destructive

forces on the planet in the hands of two countries on the verge of war led to a culture steeped in

fear. It was common in schools to carry out nuclear attack drills that, in the event of a nuclear

attack, was to protect the kids. This weapon of mass destruction was adapted to a clean form of

energy for many in later years. Atomic energy was seen as the future and for a good reason. It

was advertised as a clean source of power that could last virtually forever. This profound

statement backed up by the World Nuclear Association, “In the process [of development], over

17,000 reactor-years of operation have been accumulated in providing a significant proportion of

the world’s electricity”(World Nuclear Association). The impact of nuclear energy spread far

beyond tools of war and power. This introduction of such a massive destructive force sent

shockwaves through society. It sparked international outrage and protest. One of the most

well-known eras is the protests of the 70s and 80s. Large groups of young people spoke out

against the use and possession of nuclear weapons. These protests quickly formed a largely
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pacifistic subculture in America. The 70s and 80s saw an explosion of protest groups with

religious, civil rights, and pacifist roots, turning their energy to anti-nuclear efforts (Kindig).

Nuclear energy has had its ups and downs throughout its history, but it has also had an

undeniable effect on the energy grids around the world. Often seen as the future, nuclear power

promises to be a clean form of energy production, capable of supporting the world’s population

for hundreds of years to come. However, it has had a rocky history. Many nuclear disasters like

Chernobyl and the Three Mile Island have made many wary of this burgeoning new source of

power. The impact of atomic energy can be felt worldwide, but it has had more of an impact in

recent years on developing nations. Although sentiment toward nuclear power in the past has

been negative, in recent years, that has changed, “First was the realization of the scale of

projected increased electricity demand worldwide, but particularly in rapidly-developing

countries.” (World Nuclear Association). The draw of affordable and clean energy has drawn

new interest to the field of nuclear power. The impact of atomic energy can be seen around the

world, as some places still recover from its scars. Still, nuclear energy will remain at the

forefront of development for many energy providers for the foreseeable future. From supporting

lives to saving them, the military has had a hand in everything from electricity to medicine.

Some of the most impactful technologies of our time come in the form of medicine and

medical practices. One of the most well-known medical advancements is penicillin. This

mold-based drug was seen as a “wonder drug” because of its effectiveness at treating wounds

upon its introduction into military use. At its inception, few production researchers were forced

to reuse discarded penicillin in the form of urine (Conniff). This low production was rectified

when the drug was introduced to the industrial complex of the United States. Military funding

and other government agencies’ intervention allowed for improvements in production speed and
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volume. This drug allowed for medics in the field to quickly treat wounds and prevent infection.

Proof of its effectiveness was found when “On Aug. 11, 1943, doctors gave [a] toddler, who had

blood poisoning, just seven hours to live. But a newspaperman got wind of this prognosis and

badgered officials in Washington to release enough penicillin for treatment. They did, and

Patricia recovered in hours” (Conniff). Penicillin today is still a commonly used drug and serves

as the base for many modern drugs. Without military involvement, the availability of these drugs

would be much lower. Its impact on civilians can be found in almost every hospital and

pharmacy around the world. The use of this drug allows doctors to treat and prevent otherwise

life-threatening diseases. Moving patients around is also an essential part of medical treatment.

The ambulance had its start among the ranks of the military. This idea was created

hundreds of years ago, but it did not see widespread use until the US Civil War. Because of the

massive amounts of casualties and trauma, a widespread and organized way for these casualties

to be transported and treated quickly (Emergency Medicine Residents' Association). Using

vehicles like trucks and planes to transport injured soldiers allowed for many more casualties to

be treated. Its introduction into the civilian sector came in 1965 when a Cincinnati-based

ambulance service began running. It was not until after World War 1 that the ambulance saw

widespread use in the 1920s when Virginia and New Jersey saw the rise of volunteer fire

brigades (Emergency Medicine Residents' Association). The ability to transport civilian patients

quickly to hospitals and provide medical treatment en route allowed for many otherwise fatal

ailments like heart attacks and strokes to receive treatment quickly and efficiently.

Another medical advancement made through military effort was blood transfusions.

Blood transfusions allow doctors to provide those with major injuries with blood that they may

have lost during an injury. It is an emergency medical procedure that was initially used almost
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exclusively in the military. These transfusions saved the lives of many gravely injured soldiers.

Blood transfusions by the time World War 2 broke out were not new. Blood banks in Britain

were operational at least six years before the outbreak of World War 2 (US Army Medical

Department). Blood transfusions proved vital in treating the gravely wounded soldiers of the

front lines. It was not until after World War 2 that the medical practice was widely adapted for

civilian use. This advancement has changed the lives of many; it provides hope to those who

suffer from blood-related ailments such as “anemia, sickle cell disease, a bleeding disorder such

as hemophilia, or cancer” (Leukemia Research Foundation). The impact of such a technology

can be seen everywhere. According to the Leukemia Research Foundation, 10 percent of new

cancer cases involve some sort of blood cancer like leukemia, lymphoma, or Myeloma. With

treatment options available, these patients have a chance at recovery.

Each and every medical advancement, whether the military was involved or not,

profoundly impacts society and civilian life. New treatment options and drugs allow every

person to live their life knowing that there is a way to treat most ailments that they will

encounter. This comfort, among others, is one of many factors that helps shape the world’s

ever-changing cultures. However, with military involvement comes more significant amounts of

funding for research, access to technologies that would otherwise be unavailable, and

government support in production and research efforts. These things combine to accelerate

research.

Not only has the military touched the lives of civilians in global ways, like nuclear power,

it has also had a heavy hand in people's everyday lives. Many of the things we see and use daily

got their start from military R&D. For starters, things like instant coffee and bug spray had their

start in the military. Bug spray is one of those things that we take for granted in the hot summers
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spent outside. Bug spray in the form of DEET, which is a chemical compound devised by the

military as a bug repellent, was one of the earliest forms of chemical bug spray (Belaman). From

its inception, bug spray has been one of the most helpful inventions in anyone’s arsenal. Pivotal

in preventing diseases like malaria, bug spray improved the quality of life for many. Another

small item with a lasting impact is instant coffee. Instant coffee provides an easy and quick way

for many to wake up in the morning. Instant coffee has its origins in Britain in the 1770s, but it

was in America when “it was used during the Civil War, and experimental ‘cakes’ of instant

coffee were shared in rations to soldiers” (History Of Coffee). Other such inventions include duct

tape and microwaves (Manley). All of these inventions may seem small, but each has impacted

the lives of billions by providing new and easier ways to do something.

Some would argue that other technologies like the advancements in firearms and naval

navigation equipment like sonar had a more significant impact on society. Although firearms

have had a substantial effect on the overall development of human society, their impact has been

second to many other advancements. There is no doubt that firearms have had a hand in shaping

our world for hundreds of years, but improvements like the roads of Rome eclipse their

importance. The advances of firearms have had less of an impact on civilians than the firearms

themselves. Throughout history, guns and firearms have been necessary to every army, but the

use of weapons in the civilian sector is limited to hunting and recreation; therefore, the

advancement of firearms does not truly impact the civilian sector.

Another advancement that others may champion is the introduction of sonar to naval

navigation. Sonar provides a similar way of locating things to radar; however, sonar uses sound

waves. Sonar is an integral part of maritime navigation because it allows ships to see below the

surface and protect themselves from obstacles like reefs and underwater ridges. According to the
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US Navy Museum, small civilian boats mostly use sonar to find fish and avoid submerged

obstacles. (US Navy Museum 3) Moreover, while this is a crucial use both from a commercial

and safety standpoint, its usefulness to civilians is limited. Sonar technology has helped improve

ease of travel by water by allowing mapping of the ocean floor and identifying trade routes.

Often, however, the trade routes used today were discovered long before the invention of sonar.

The use of GPS, another military innovation, allows ships to know where they are at any point.

This improves navigation, speed of travel, and overall safety of naval transportation. In this way,

sonar has impacted, but its wrestling impact was not as widespread as many other advancements.

Others may also argue that the many small advancements made like microwaves and duct

tape were not as impactful as others. These inventions, although small, have had a significant

impact on the lives of billions of people. With microwaves making an easy way to prepare foods,

it started a whole new commercial sector dedicated to microwave meals. Bug Spray provides

relief for millions every summer. It helps quell the relentless onslaught of bugs and bug-borne

sickness. Without these more minor inventions, life would look very different today because,

despite their impact not being as well known, the effect of their creation is widespread and

permeates nearly every corner of everyday life.

In conclusion, the many technologies propagated by militaries throughout history have

had a profound and lasting impact on the lives of civilians. Each invention, created to support

military efforts, has led to new ways to move around and see the world. From new ways to travel

to a clean way to power a nation, military technologies and advancements have impacted the

military and civilians’ lives alike. The importance of these achievements cannot be understated,

as each of them brought something new to the lives of millions. Regardless of the physical size
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of these inventions, people have become reliant on them. Although many of these were

developed to fight wars, they ended up in the ordinary person’s homes, cities, and lives.
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Invention and Innovation, Smithsonian National Museum of American History, 29 Oct.

2015,
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