Background (taken from Wikipedia)

Technology during World War II played a crucial role in determining the outcome of the war. Much of it had begun development during the interwar years of the 1920s and 1930s, some was developed in response to lessons learned during the war, and yet more was only beginning to be developed as the war ended. The massive research and development demands of the war had a great impact on the scientific community. Given the scope of the war and the rapid technological escalation which happened during the war, a vast array of technology was employed, as different nations and different units found themselves equipped with different levels of technology. No area of military technology went without development during the war. After the war ended, these developments opened out to new sciences like cybernetics and computer science.

Activity

Students can research technology developed during World War II, or shortly thereafter (as much military R&D was not revealed until shortly after the end of the war). What technologies were developed during World War 2 that are still in use today? What technologies developed during World War 2 may have spurred new technologies we see today? Why was the technology developed at the time, and how does the technology help us today?

Internet Resources

WikiPedia entry: Technology during World War II:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Technology_during_World_War_II

Paper from IEEE: WWII Crytologic Heritage

http://www.ieee.org/portal/cms_docs_iportals/iportals/aboutus/history_center/conferences/che2004/Boone.pdf

Extension

What undiscovered technology could help the soldiers fighting in wars today? How could that discovery be used or reinvented for use in times of peace?