18 Everyday Items That Were Originally Military Technology
From duct tape to the internet, some of the most ordinary things we use daily were born from the extraordinary demands of war and military innovation.
- Alyana Aguja
- 5 min read
Most of the things we use on a daily basis, such as GPS, microwaves, and duct tape, have their roots in military innovations created for survival, accuracy, and efficiency. Conceived in the high-pressure needs of war, these technologies were eventually repurposed for civilian use, changing the way we live, work, and play. This list delves into 18 real-life instances where battlefield innovation marched directly into our homes.
1. GPS (Global Positioning System)
Image from NOAA’s National Ocean Service
First created by the US Department of Defense in the 1970s, soldiers employed GPS for accurate navigation. It enabled troops, vessels, and planes to locate themselves anywhere. Now, it navigates civilians through urban streets, monitors exercise workouts, and even finds misplaced phones.
2. Duct Tape
Image from RS Philippines
Created during World War II to seal ammunition cases, duct tape was prized for its waterproof strength. Soldiers quickly found hundreds of other uses, from fixing gear to patching equipment. Now, it’s a household essential for quick fixes, DIY projects, and even creative art.
3. The Internet
Image from Vecteezy
The foundation of contemporary life began as ARPANET, a military research initiative in the late 1960s. Its goal was to develop a decentralized system of communication that would withstand a nuclear strike. This network later developed into the Internet, which today links billions of individuals worldwide.
4. Microwave Ovens
Image from ShopMetro
The microwave oven was a serendipitous invention by Percy Spencer, who was working on radar technology during World War II. He observed a chocolate bar in his pocket melting next to a magnetron and had the idea. Microwaves are now a household appliance, cooking food in seconds.
5. Canned Food
Image from True Prepper
Napoleon’s troops required a dependable method of food preservation, so canned foods were invented in the early 1800s. Although they began with glass containers, metal cans became the standard for supplying troops. Today, canned soup, beans, and vegetables fill pantries across the globe.
6. Aviator Sunglasses
Image from Vision Express
Created in the 1930s for pilots in the U.S. Air Force, aviators minimized glare at high altitudes. The traditional teardrop design shielded eyes while offering a broad field of vision. Now, they’re a fashion statement worn by everyone from stars to sunbathers.
7. EpiPens
Image from The Seattle Times
Auto-injectors originated with the military for quick delivery of nerve agent antidotes. The same rapid-delivery technology was repurposed to counteract anaphylactic shock. Today, EpiPens are literally lifesavers at schools, in homes, and public areas worldwide.
8. Freeze-Dried Food
Image from Emergency Essentials
Heavily used in the Vietnam War, freeze-drying stored food while cutting weight for transport. It maintained rations as nutritious, long-lasting, and easy to rehydrate. It powers campers, astronauts, and emergency aid today.
9. Super Glue (Cyanoacrylate)
Image from Tolsen Tools Philippines
Accidentally discovered in WWII while searching for transparent plastic for gun sights, super glue adhered to everything—except the military’s initial intention. Later, in Vietnam, it was used to temporarily seal wounds on the battlefield. Today, it’s stocked in toolboxes and junk drawers for repairing just about anything.
10. Digital Cameras
Image from Ubuy Philippines
The first digital image technology originated with the Cold War spy satellites that employed CCD sensors to take photographs from space. That technology formed the basis for commercial digital cameras. Phone cameras and webcams today are driven by the same fundamental technology.
11. Nylon
Image from HY Sourcing
Invented by DuPont during the 1930s, nylon was initially employed in military parachutes, ropes, and tents in WWII. Due to its elasticity and strength, it was ideal for combat applications. After the war, it transformed the fashion world through stockings and apparel.
12. Jeep (Willys MB)
Image from Wikipedia
Developed during WWII, the Jeep was a tough, go-anywhere vehicle for American soldiers. Its ruggedness, simplicity, and 4x4 capability won the hearts of soldiers. Post-war, it served as the template for civilian SUVs.
13. Penicillin Mass Production
Image from News-Medical.net
Although penicillin had been found previously, it was not mass-produced until WWII, when the military urged its widespread use to cure infections. This saved many lives on the battlefield and opened the antibiotic age, revolutionizing modern medicine.
14. Infrared Thermometers
Image from element14 Philippines
Infrared sensing technology was further developed for identifying the heat signatures of the enemy in the dark. It was further developed into non-contact body thermometers, which detect body temperature without coming in contact with the skin. These became particularly critical in global health emergencies.
15. Synthetic Rubber
Image from J-Flex Rubber Products
When Japanese troops disrupted natural rubber shipments during WWII, the Allies used synthetic substitutes. Researchers established new methods to maintain automobiles, equipment, and aircraft equipment. Synthetics are now used in tires, footwear, and millions of products.
16. Walkie-Talkies
Image from Wikipedia
Initially employed by infantrymen and tank commanders in WWII, walkie-talkies provided soldiers with immediate communication across distances. Small and durable, they changed battlefield coordination forever. Today, they’re utilized by event workers, backpackers, and children playing spy games.
17. Jet Engines
Image from Britannica
Jet engines were originally created in the 1930s and 1940s for warplanes. They created faster, higher-flying warplanes. Their power and efficiency later transformed commercial air travel. Now, they’re the core of almost every passenger aircraft.
18. Synthetic Fertilizer (from explosives technology)
Image from Southland Organics
The same process of ammonia production that was employed to produce explosives during WWI—the Haber-Bosch process—was subsequently used for fertilizer. It enabled large-scale production of crops to feed an expanding population. That war innovation now supports world agriculture.
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