New Technologies By: Rafa S., Shannon X., and Zoe W.

Introduction In WWII, continual advancements in technology were necessary to maintain a competitive edge over the enemy. While technological advancements were made prior to the war, other developments were a direct result of the trials and errors suffered during the war.

The Radar ●Radars were used by both Allies and Axis powers ●Radar worked by sending out a radio wave and analyzing the reflected wave after it bounced off any objects in the air ●Rectifier’s job was to translate the reflected signal into the direct current necessary for visualization on the screen ●Seymour Benzar discovered that germanium crystals make the best detectors

Radar (cont.)

D-rations ●High calorie energy ration that came in the form of a fortified chocolate bar. ●A 3-portion package of these 4 ounce bars would provide a soldier with 1,800 calories of energy recommended for each day. ●In 1939, Hershey’s was able to produce 100,000 units per day. ●Between 1940 and 1945, over 3 billion bars were produced and distributed to soldiers around the world.

D-RATIONS:

Plastics ●It became more useful since many other materials were used. ●Inexpensive, and it could be molded into any shape ●After the war, many things were made from plastic. o Ex.: Hula-Hoops, garbage pails, squeeze bottles and more.

Rockets ●Countries most associated with rocket development are Germany, America, Great Britain, and Japan ●Most successful rocket made by Americans: bazooka o Developed speed during flight, easier for infantry soldier to use in combat for lack of dangerous recoil o Larger version developed for planes ●US Navy used retrorocket on its bombs to slow the speed of descent, making them far more accurate and deadly for attacks on submarines

Synthetic Rubber: ●GRS (Government Rubber Styrene) was created to substitute for rubber, since the war was centered around using mainly rubber for battles. ●By the end of the war around 50 factories were making large amounts of GRS, which is twice more than before the war began. ●Ex.: tape, things for cars, diving suits, garden hoses and more.

Atomic Bomb ●“The Manhattan Project” was the most secretive war- time project in history, which became the largest scientific effort. ●Involved 100,000 scientist, 37 installation located around the U.S., 13 university laboratories, and nobel prize winning physicists. ●The dropping of the bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki were devastating, with over 120,000 deaths. The war ended 6 days after Nagasaki’s detonation.

Tanks ● The M4 Sherman became the standard American military tank in WWII ● The M6 series was the first of the heavy tanks used during the war o Weighed approx. 50 to 60 tons ● Also used to equip western Allies serving alongside their own designs o Over 50,000 tanks were produced during the time of the war

M4 ShermanM6 series

Conclusion ● All countries involved in World War II were affected by new technology o The United States in specific advanced strongly in tanks, the atomic bomb, and small arms ● All this new technology, especially the atomic bomb, was the primary reason for the ending of the war

Works Cited Page ●Science and Technology of WWII." Science and Technology of WWII. N.p., n.d. Web. 10 Sept ●"Atomic Bomb." History. N.p., n.d. Web. 10 Sept ●Judy, Ben. "Five Innovations from World War II - Big Design Events." Big Design Events - A Place to Learn, Share, and Grow. N.p., 24 Sept Web. 9 Sept from-world-war-ii/ ●"Plastics and American Culture After World War II. Tupperware!. WGBH American Experience | PBS." American Experience. N.p., n.d. Web. 9 Sept ●Mindell, Dr. David. "5.3 The science and technology of World War II." The science and technology of World War II. (accessed September 10, 2014). ●"Rocket Technology and World War Two." Rocket Technology and World War Two. (accessed September 10, 2014). ●"Advancements in Technology in World War II." Armed Forces History Museum. (accessed September 10, 2014).

Works Cited (cont.) ●Wikimedia Foundation. "American military technology during World War II." Wikipedia. (accessed September 11, 2014).Wikimedia Foundatio ●Foley, Sean. "Scholars Archive." World War II Technology that Changed Warfare. (accessed September 11, 2014)., 2014).