Digital Cameras

Digital camera technology originally started life in early spy satellites where they were used to capture high-resolution aerial images of enemy installations.

Walkie-talkies

The classic walkie-talkie, like many things on this list, started life during WWII.

Ambulances

In around 1487, the very first ambulances appeared on the battlefield.

Duct Tape

During World War II, an adhesive tape was invented that was made from a rubber-based adhesive applied to a durable duck cloth backing.

Canned Food

Drones

The humble drone began life as an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV).

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Blood banks and transfusions

The carnage and devastation of the First World War saw the need for the rapid development of blood banks and transfusion techniques. 

Space Programme

After WW2 the US took those German scientists involved in the V2 rocket programme back to the states to help them win the space race.

Night-vision

Sanitary Napkins

Ben Franklin originally invented pads to help stop wounded soldiers from bleeding while they received medical treatment.

EpiPen

The EpiPen started life in the military as an autoinjector intended for use by soldiers in the event of exposure to chemical warfare toxins and nerve agents.

Freeze Drying

During WW2 blood serum was freeze-dried in order to the prevent it from spoiling during transport.

Weather Radar

In the 1800s German physicists discovered that radio waves could be reflected from solid objects. It was later used to defend nations from attack.

Microwave Ovens

The radar technology developed during World War II was later adapted for different uses. One of which was microwaves.

Computers

The original computers used punch cards and mechanical looms to solve problems.

Jet engines

Frank Whittle was working on a design for a jet engine during the late 1920s and filed an official patent in 1930. But it wasn’t until WW2 that it took off.

Synthetic Rubber Tyres

Historically, vehicle tyres were manufactured using natural rubber with suppliers from Southeast Asia. Things changed when suppy was difficult during the war.

Super-glue

During WWII scientists were employed to find a material suitable for creating clear plastic gun sights. During this process, Superglue was accidentally born.

Aviator Sunglasses

Aviator sunglasses were originally developed in the 1930s for use by military pilots to protect their eyes while flying.

The Internet

The World Wide Web that we know and love originally started life back in 1977 in the form of its forefather the Advanced Research Projects Agency Network.

GPS

In the 1990s, some of the satellites used for a space-based radio navigation systems were originally owned and operated by the United States government. 

Wristwatches

The first wristwatches were worn by soldiers in order to allow the synchronisation of military manoeuvres on the battlefield without alerting the enemy.

Jet pack

In the years around WWII and after, the US military invested time and money in research into personal jetpacks and propulsion devices.

  • The history and future of jetpacks: Mankind’s obsession with personal flight in photos

Jerrycan

The jerrycan was originally designed by Germany in the 1930s for military use to hold 20 litres of fuel.

The Jeep

The Jeep was a multi-purpose and fully capable four-wheel-drive vehicle that was designed to be used in all theatres of combat during the second world war.

Penicillin

During World War I Alexander Fleming discovered a type of mould that was releasing a substance that was inhibiting bacterial growth. Penicillin was born.

Silly putty

During the second world war when the United States was working on developing an alternative to rubber it invented Silly Putty by mistake.