Quck answer
During World War II, spiders played a crucial role in helping the Allies win the war. The silk produced by spiders was used to create crosshairs for gunsights, which greatly improved accuracy for soldiers. These spider silk crosshairs were stronger and more precise than previous materials, and they were resistant to changes in temperature and humidity. This innovation gave the Allies a significant advantage in combat. Additionally, spider silk was used for parachutes, medical sutures, and even as a coating for bomber planes to make them less visible to enemy radar. Overall, spiders and their silk made a significant impact on the outcome of World War II.
During the Second World War, numerous innovative contributions were made in the fields of science and technology. From groundbreaking medical advancements to recreational products, creative individuals invented inventions that are still utilized today.
Can you guess one of the most unexpected helpers? If you guessed spiders, you would be correct! These eight-legged arachnids served a valuable purpose: spinning webs. The spider web production shop of the U.S. Army Quartermaster Corps collected threads to create crosshairs for weapon sights and other aiming devices. Members of the Corps utilized black widow spiders. Despite the potential lethality of these spiders, they were slower and therefore easier to work with.
Who would have thought that melon mold would aid in the production of penicillin? Invented in 1928, the initial trials for this life-saving drug took place in Great Britain. However, due to financial constraints and the inability to mass produce, Howard Florey, Ernst Chain, and Norman Heatley sought support in the United States in 1941—prior to the U.S. entering the war. Before D-Day—June 6, 1944, the day U.S. soldiers landed in Normandy, France in the largest amphibious invasion in history—scientists produced 2.3 million doses of penicillin, which would treat and prevent infections resulting from injuries during the invasion. This ultimately saved the lives of many soldiers. Since the war, this life-saving medication has been made available to the public.
Another remarkable invention from this time period is something that might satisfy your sweet tooth. When Forrest Mars relocated to Great Britain to manage the Mars Bar plant, he observed that soldiers consumed chocolate covered in a hard sugar shell. This shell prevented the chocolate from melting in warm climates or due to body heat. Mars collaborated with Bruce Murrie, the son of a Hershey executive. By the time U.S. soldiers joined the war, the candy accompanied them. Can you guess what they were called? M&Ms! Once wartime rationing of chocolate ended, these delicious treats were made available to the general public.
What happens when a torsion spring—a spiral coil used to create twisting motion—falls off a desk? It walks down stairs and makes a “slinkety” sound! The Slinky became an unexpected toy sensation after demonstrations at a Philadelphia store in December 1945, during which the first 400 Slinkys sold out within minutes. These bouncy toys provided hours of entertainment.
When Japan invaded Asia, the rubber supply of the United States was at risk. Chemists began searching for alternative options. One of these options was a stretchy substance that bounced 25 percent higher than rubber, had properties similar to a “solid liquid” like glass, and could shatter into pieces upon impact. You could even transfer comic book images onto this substance. How fun! Later on, it even played a role in the Apollo 8 mission—it helped keep tools in place during zero gravity! Can you guess the name of this accidental discovery? Silly Putty, of course!
During the Nazi rule, people used their creativity to assist others and resist. In the video provided by the USC Shoah Foundation in the image and video gallery, Vera Laska’s testimony was heard. Vera, in her teenage years, joined the underground resistance during World War II. Along with her friend, who were both skilled skiers in Czechoslovakia (now the Czech Republic), Vera agreed to help two Frenchmen cross the mountains. Throughout the war, Vera led both Jews and non-Jews to safety on numerous occasions. In order to transport non-skiers seeking safety, Vera and her friend even constructed a sled. However, Vera’s cover was blown in 1943, resulting in her arrest and deportation to a concentration camp. Many women, including Vera, were part of resistance movements across Europe. These courageous women served as military nurses, pilots, resistance fighters, code breakers, and spies. Their contributions were vital to the Allied victory, although their stories remained untold for many years.
If you could invent something to help others, what would it be? What materials would you need? Who would you ask for assistance?
The preservation of memories is an essential aspect of the human experience. USC Shoah Foundation’s Visual History Archive contains over 55,000 testimonies from survivors and witnesses, utilizing audio and video to educate future generations about the Holocaust and other atrocities. This supports the Institute’s mission to foster empathy, understanding, and respect through testimony, ensuring that the next generation comprehends the significance of learning from the Holocaust and making the world a better place. Many of these testimonies, gathered through recorded interviews, are available on the IWitness platform to tell the stories of survivors and witnesses.
Give it a Try
Are you interested in learning more about innovation during World War II? Explore the following activities with a friend or family member:
- Read an article about other inventions during World War II on History Hit. Which innovation has had the greatest impact on your life? Which one do you find most intriguing? Discuss with a friend or family member.
- Go online and read “A Spider’s Silky Strength” to discover the science behind spider silk and why it is so strong. Write down at least five facts from the article and share them with a friend or family member.
- Visit TeachingTolerance.org to view One World Posters. Many of these artworks convey a message. Categorize them based on their themes. Now, think about something important to you. What message would you want to share with the world? Use a Wonderopolis template from Canva or your own art supplies to create your message. Share it on social media by tagging @wonderopolis.
Sources of Wonder
The following links were accessed on May 31, 2022:
– https://www.britannica.com/dictionary
– https://owlcation.com/stem/The-patriotic-black-widow-spiders-of-World-War-II
– http://www.amerisurv.com/PDF/TheAmericanSurveyor_BediniAlongCameASpiderPart2_May2005.pdf
– https://www.history.com/news/world-war-ii-innovations#
– https://www.historyhit.com/inventions-and-innovations-of-world-war-two/
– https://www.nationalww2museum.org/war/articles/innovating-victory
– https://www.innovativehistory.com/ih-blog/10-ww2-innovations
– https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5369031/
– https://www.nationalww2museum.org/sites/default/files/2017-07/thanks-to-penicillin-lesson.pdf
– https://www.museumofplay.org/toys/slinky/
– https://www.museumofplay.org/toys/silly-putty/
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