Military Secrets: Which Military Inventions Are Now in Everyday Use

Source of the work: U.S. Department of Defense News Bureau, Defense Visual Information Center. 1994 — This document was donated to Wikimedia Commons as part of a collaboration project by the National Archives and Records Administration. This donation was facilitated by the U.S. Digital Public Library through its partners.

Author: Sergey Komalin, Editor

June 2, 2025, 15:57

Military Inventions That Have Become Part of Our Daily Lives

Many technologies that are now taken for granted were originally developed to solve problems on the battlefield. When we use these technologies in our daily lives, we rarely think about their origins, taking them for granted. However, in fact, military research is often a powerful driver of technological progress, and these achievements later enter the lives of millions of people.

The Internet is one of the most typical examples. In the 1960s, the U.S. Department of Defense launched a project called ARPANET with the original intention of creating a network system that could survive potential nuclear conflicts. This communication system was designed to remain operational even if some nodes were destroyed.

Over time, this military technology broke through the limitations of secret laboratories and became a platform for global communication and information exchange — we can no longer imagine modern life without the Internet.

The Global Positioning System (GPS) is also an important legacy of military technology. Developed by the U.S. military, GPS was initially used to accurately determine coordinates on the battlefield. Starting from the 1980s, GPS has been widely popularized in civilian fields. Today, we use it every day to plan driving routes, find the nearest café, or locate ourselves via smartphones in unfamiliar environments.

Some important inventions even originated by chance. The birth of the microwave oven is a case in point. During World War II, engineer Percy Spencer discovered that microwaves could heat food while improving radar technology. After in-depth research into this phenomenon, the world's first microwave oven was born, initially used for quick meal preparation at military bases. Today, this convenient device has entered kitchens around the world.

The history of canned food also began with military needs. In the early 19th century, Frenchman Nicolas Appert invented the technique of sealing packaging and thermal processing, solving the long-term food supply problem for soldiers in Napoleon's army. These foods could be stored for a long time. Today, cans have become part of many people's daily diets and are indispensable helpers in camping, traveling, and household life.

Drones were originally developed by the military for battlefield reconnaissance and surveillance. Their main advantages are high mobility, strong concealment, and the ability to perform dangerous tasks without endangering pilots' lives. Today, drones are widely used by civilian enterprises and individuals: they are used for cargo delivery, helping farmers monitor farmland, shooting stunning videos, and even participating in rescue operations to save lives.

Another military invention that has deeply integrated into family life is Teflon. It was discovered during refrigerant research in the late 1930s. Its unique properties of heat resistance and chemical corrosion resistance quickly found applications in the cooking field. With Teflon, we no longer have to worry about food sticking to the pan, and non-stick pans have become standard kitchen equipment.

The development of new materials is another important area. Lightweight and sturdy composite materials and plastics were originally used to reduce the weight of military equipment and enhance strength. Today, they are applied in automobile manufacturing, aircraft construction, sports equipment, and building structures.

It can be seen that although war is destructive, it often becomes a catalyst for technological progress. This shows that even in the harshest environments, creative ideas that change the world and make life better may emerge.

Original article: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7511641439772721703/

Disclaimer: The article represents the author's personal views. Please express your opinions by clicking the "Agree" or "Disagree" button below.