War has always accelerated the development of science and technology. During World War II, many new inventions appeared that later found wide application in everyday life. Many of them are still in use today. What innovations are we talking about?
Portable Bridges
During World War II, prefabricated components were used on a large scale for the first time. Engineer Donald Bailey invented a portable bridge built from metal segments. It officially entered service in 1943 in Italy. It made a huge impression on contemporary observers and consequently became standard equipment for Allied armies.
Building a Bailey bridge was very simple because prefabricated elements could be connected in any way. Such a bridge was assembled much faster than conventional bridges. For example, over 100 skilled soldiers could build a 5-span bridge in half an hour!
Without Bailey bridges, there would have been no Normandy landing or other Allied operations in Europe at the end of the war. They enabled rapid river crossings. This brought considerable benefits to commanders of the time, as they no longer had to waste time searching for undestroyed crossing points.
Artificial Ports
During the Normandy landing in 1944, two artificial ports were built from prefabricated components at lightning speed. Concrete caissons were used for their assembly, which were sunk to create large breakwaters. Other prefabricated components were used to build unloading quays.
The constructed ports proved to be a bullseye. Thanks to them, large quantities of supplies and soldiers could be unloaded onto the shore daily.
Between June and October 1944, a total of 628,000 tons of supplies, 40,000 vehicles, and 220,000 soldiers were transported to land.
Wireless Communication
Wireless communication during World War II played a significant role, enabling real-time command. The American army employed radiophones, facilitating the calling of artillery and air support as well as communication on the battlefield.
For the US military, Polish engineer Henryk Magnuski developed the walkie-talkie, a radiotelephone used for two-way communication between users equipped with identical or mutually compatible devices. The new device was quite light and could be carried by one person. It saved American soldiers’ lives many times.
Meanwhile, the British developed other communication devices, such as Aldis lamps designed for light signaling and the Eureka and Rebecca system for communication between a short-wave radio and a radio station mounted in an aircraft. This somewhat resembled modern mobile telephony.
Food
During World War II, the necessity arose to feed the enormous number of people serving in contemporary armies. Bouillon cubes and water purification tablets were introduced into circulation. The latter were commonly called „battery acid” or „disinfectant.”
Americans invented so-called „D rations” for their soldiers, consisting of bars made from honey, oatmeal, coconut butter, sugar, and powdered milk. They were so good that Germans took them in large quantities from dead American soldiers.
Thanks to the Americans, many types of canned goods were also produced. They were valued in the Soviet Union, England, and many other countries. They were available for sale long after the end of World War II. The „Spam” canned meat caused a great sensation. It was cheap, had a long shelf life, and could be eaten immediately after opening. Thanks to this canned meat, the Red Army avoided famine in the decisive year of 1943.
Meals that could be eaten raw were also invented. For the Royal Navy, „Naval Action Ration” was developed, consisting of milk-cereal tablets and chewing gum. Frozen food intended for long-term storage also began to be produced. Right after the end of the war, the idea was perfected and thanks to this, the solution was adopted worldwide.
Fuel and Recycling
Thanks to the Germans, jerrycans came into common use, which were decidedly more practical than British and American fuel containers. The Allies first used captured German jerrycans, then began producing their own based on German solutions.
Gasoline shortages forced car owners to make significant savings or use alternative fuel. In the Third Reich, cars were powered by wood gas. They tried making fuel from walnuts and acorns. Lubricant was made from French grape residues. They even considered producing concrete locomotives to save precious steel.
In England and the United States, they began conserving raw materials used in the armaments industry. Collections of car tires and aluminum were organized. Food shortages were addressed by growing vegetables on lawns and in gardens.
Recycling became popular during World War II. Certain materials began to be used multiple times. Downed aircraft were converted into scrap. They were dismantled, sheet metal was cut into pieces and melted down.
