Laser Cannons --> Military --> Spam

[Cyrien]

Originally posted by Ran-Taro:

quote:

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Originally posted by Imperator Fyron:
Keep in mind that a lot of modern technology was pioneered by the military as a means to kill people more effectively...

Like what for example?

I'm not being argumentative BTW - I would genuinely like to know some examples of this(plus it's generally reassuring to hear some sort of example when people make sweeping statements).

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There is a TV show in the US on the History Channel now called "Tactical to Practical" that deals directly with this issue.

A few that I know of.

The Microwave Oven - by product of radar experiments
Radar - WW2. Yah.
GPS - Modern. For military location. Now it is everywhere.
Sonar - WW1. Hydrophone to find the first U-boats. Now try and find a modern fishing vessel that doesn't have it.
Jet Engines - WW2.
Kevlar - Saved many military lives and many police officer lives.
Night and Infrared Imaging technology - Oh yah. All over now. First the military though for obvious reasons.
The Computer - Some of the earliest computers and major computer breakthroughs were there to calculate the trajectories of ICBMs and calculate where they would hit. Also crypobreakers etc.
Nuclear Power - I shouldn't have to say more on this one.
Satellite Recon and Imaging - All military are first. Now lots of civilian firms that use this technology.
Cryptography - Military for wartime use to civilian, specifically for the computer in modern life.
Submarine (increasingly more uses for this vessel being foud in the civilian sector)

Just to name a few.
In fact most militarily advanced nations have programs or departments within the military that exist specifically to analyze the feasibility of releasing specific technologies to the public after having been developed for the military. These same agencies also have the role of analyzing developing civilian technologies and determining if they can be put to use for the military.

http://www.mod.uk/aboutus/keyfacts/f...sification.htm

I had one for the US but I closed the page and now I can't remember the combination of searches that got me to it.

[ November 04, 2003, 14:49: Message edited by: Cyrien ]