15 Things You Use Daily That Were Originally Invented For War
Every time you wrap a sandwich in plastic or check the time on your wristwatch, you’re using technology that was born from military necessity. While war’s impact on society is often devastating, many of its innovations have found surprisingly peaceful and practical uses in civilian life.
Let’s explore some common items whose battlefield origins might surprise you.
The Microwave Oven
During World War II, a Raytheon engineer named Percy Spencer noticed that a radar magnetron had melted the chocolate bar in his pocket. This accidental discovery of microwave cooking while working on military radar systems led to the development of the microwave oven.
What once helped track enemy aircraft now reheats your leftover pizza.
GPS Navigation
The Global Positioning System began as a U.S. Department of Defense project to guide military vessels and track equipment. Originally restricted to military use, this network of satellites was opened to civilian applications in the 1980s.
Today, it helps millions of people navigate their daily commutes and find new restaurants.
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Plastic Wrap
Before keeping leftovers fresh, plastic wrap served as a waterproof barrier for military equipment and supplies during World War II. Dow Chemical developed the material to protect military gear from the elements.
After the war, someone realized its potential for preserving food, leading to its current ubiquitous kitchen presence.
Duct Tape
During World War II, the military needed a waterproof, strong tape to keep ammunition cases dry. Johnson & Johnson developed what soldiers called “duck tape” because of its water-resistant properties.
After the war, it found new life in civilian construction, particularly for sealing heating and air conditioning ducts, leading to its current name.
The Internet
ARPANET, the Internet’s predecessor, was developed by the U.S. Department of Defense to maintain military communications in case of a nuclear attack. This decentralized network evolved into today’s Internet, transforming from a military safeguard into the backbone of modern digital life.
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Wristwatches
While pocket watches were the norm for men in the early 1900s, military officers found them impractical during combat. The wristwatch gained popularity during World War I when synchronized military maneuvers required precise timing.
After the war, returning soldiers made the style fashionable for civilian wear.
Super Glue
Super Glue was accidentally discovered during World War II while attempting to make clear plastic gun sights. Its inventor, Dr. Harry Coover, initially dismissed it as too sticky to be useful.
During the Vietnam War, it was used to treat soldiers’ wounds before finding its way into household toolboxes.
Cargo Pants
Those extra pockets weren’t designed for smartphones. British military forces created cargo pants to allow soldiers to carry extra ammunition and supplies while keeping their hands free.
The practical design transitioned to civilian fashion, though most wearers now fill those pockets with considerably less lethal items.
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Instant Coffee
The U.S. military needed a way to provide soldiers with their caffeine fix while on the move. They refined earlier instant coffee processes to create the freeze-dried version, which became a staple in military rations.
After the war, companies marketed it to busy civilians, forever changing morning routines.
Personal Computers
The first general-purpose electronic computer, ENIAC, was funded by the U.S. military to calculate artillery firing tables. This massive machine paved the way for modern computing, evolving from military mathematics to becoming an essential tool in nearly every home and office.
Sanitary Napkins
During World War I, nurses discovered that the super-absorbent bandages used for wounded soldiers worked better than traditional options for menstrual care. Kotex later adapted this wood pulp material, originally developed by Kimberly-Clark for military use, into the first modern sanitary napkins.
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Jeeps
The iconic vehicle was developed for the U.S. military during World War II as a light reconnaissance vehicle. Its reliability and versatility proved so popular that after the war, Willys-Overland began producing civilian versions.
Today’s SUVs and crossovers can trace their lineage back to these military workhorses.
Aviator Sunglasses
Originally developed for military pilots to reduce high-altitude glare, Ray-Ban’s aviator sunglasses protected pilots’ eyes while maintaining clear vision.
After photos of General MacArthur wearing them during World War II appeared in newspapers, they became a civilian fashion sensation that continues today.
Digital Cameras
The U.S. military sponsored the development of digital imaging to take reconnaissance photos from spy satellites. This technology was needed to capture and transmit images without requiring film processing.
These military origins led to today’s digital cameras and smartphone photography.
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Aerosol Cans
The military developed aerosol cans during World War II to dispense insecticide, protecting soldiers from mosquito-borne diseases.
After the war, engineers adapted the technology for civilian use, leading to everything from spray paint to whipped cream in a can.
From Warfare to Everyday
These innovations remind us that human ingenuity can transform tools of conflict into instruments of convenience and progress. While their military origins might be surprising, these items have found new purpose in peacetime, improving daily life in ways their wartime inventors might never have imagined.
Next time you use one of these common objects, you’ll know its journey from battlefield innovation to household staple.
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