How Defense Research Gave Rise To Inventions Like The Internet And GPS
Innovation and research are vital to a nation's power. The more a country invests in resources and expertise, the stronger it becomes.
Innovation and scientific research have always been key to the country’s strength. The more resources and capabilities a country invests in, the stronger the country will be. Interestingly, many of the inventions that are widely used in our daily lives were originally developed for military purposes. Today, these innovations can be found in almost every home. Although many still do not know their origins.
Internet
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The Internet is now an essential part of everyday life and a major step in technological advancement. The United States Department of Defence’s ARPANET was first developed in 1969 to connect universities, government agencies and defence contractors in the United States through an integrated network.
Global Positioning System (GPS)
GPS is commonly used for navigation and traffic tracking by almost all planes, ships and people worldwide, except in China. It was developed by the United States Department of Defense in the 1970s and the first satellite of the navigation system, called NAVSTAR, was launched in 1978. By 1993, the system became fully operational, with 24 satellites orbiting 19,300 km above Earth. Initially designed for use by the US military and its allies, GPS was made available to the public in 1983.
Microwave Oven
The microwave oven was invented by accident when a scientist noticed that a chocolate bar in his pocket had melted due to microwaves. This discovery occurred during the Cold War, a time when radar technology was advancing rapidly after World War II. NATO forces were using radar systems to detect Soviet threats. In 1946, scientist Percy Spencer was studying magnetrons (a type of electromagnetic wave) to improve radar capabilities when he accidentally discovered the effects of microwaves. Intrigued by what he observed, he experimented further by placing a raw egg in a microwave, which exploded and then tried it with popcorn kernels, which popped. This unexpected discovery led to the creation of the first microwave oven, which became available for sale in 1947.
Aviator sunglasses (Ray-Ban)
Aviator sunglasses, now a popular fashion item worldwide, were originally designed for pilots in the 1930s. In the early days of aviation, aeroplanes had open cockpits and pilots wore large goggles to protect themselves from the wind and cold. With advancements in aviation technology and the introduction of enclosed cockpits, the need shifted to protecting the eyes from bright sunlight. To address this, Colonel John Macready of the United States Air Force worked with a medical equipment company in New York to create a new type of sunglasses. In 1936, they developed the first “anti-glare" lenses with green lenses in a plastic frame designed to block UV rays. These sunglasses were later renamed Ray-Ban, giving rise to the iconic brand we know today.
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