Science

Technologies in WWII

1. Pressurized cabin
1. This technology was created by the United States in order to help improve the conditions of airplane cabins.  The previous technology was a oxygen mask which often failed and fell off. This led to asphyxiation of the pilot and death.

2. RADAR
1. While the original idea was to use it to create a death ray, Radio waves soon found a use when they are shot out and bounce off a item and return.  This then gives the system the current position and velocity of the object.
3. The jet engine
1. The first jet engine was originally invented by Sir Frank whittle, but because of the lack of funds the Germans became the first to use the jet engine.  The check that they use it for, the ME 262, was feared by the allies because of it's ability to take down around five Propeller fighters before it goes down. The jet engine also revolutionized commercial flight to making cargo planes and passenger jets much more efficient and able to fly much farther.
4. Manhattan Project
1. Manhattan project was created in 1939 when the US government was alerted that German scientists are trying to create enriched uranium to create an atomic bomb. Throughout World War II the Americans were endlessly trying to create enriched uranium at a facility in Oak Ridge Tennessee.  They finally were able to do it and soon were able to create the atomic bomb.  Throughout the course of the project over $2 billion was spent. The result though was definitely worth it.  Just one of the bombs cable was of destroying entire cities and soon proved to do that when two of them were dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki and ended the war.
5. Nuclear power
1. Inspired by the success of nuclear bomb, Enrico Fermi invented the first system of nuclear fission around 1934. He did this by hitting you bring in items of neutrons and having the reaction create heat. Heat then turn water into steam which then turned a turbine which then turned a generator to create electricity.  This system of generating electricity is still used today.
6. Ballistic missiles
1. Ballistic missiles are missiles that use the power of gravity to aid them in their flight path. The result is a super high speed missile that is almost impossible to shoot down after launch.  The first ballistic missile was invented in 1936 by Wernher von Braun in Germany.  this was easily one of the most feared weapons of WWII
7. Magnetic mines
1. These mines were the secret weapon of Hitler’s army. They would detonate as soon as they sensed a metal or magnetic object and destroyed countless allied naval ships.  Today, there are electromagnets running through most military ships to neutralize its magnetic field just in case some of these lethal mines are still out there.