History Essay

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When the United States entered the First World War, the government took over all radio operations and shut down both professional and amateur radio broadcasters. The use of radio was reserved exclusively for the war effort. In the air, radio was used for the first time between multiple planes and the ground to keep formations and lead the pilots to their targets. This was the beginning of air traffic control and walkie-talkies. In addition, soldiers who had been wounded were entertained in the hospital by news and music played over the radio. Although radio was not allowed back into public until 1919, it continued to be used by troops coming home to entertain each other and was even used for dances. All of radio’s uses from the war soon became prevalent in everyday life and radio has been used in these ways ever since. Our lives are filled with constant sound most of it coming from the radio being on all the time; whether in the car or at home, music, news, weather, and traffic are provided through radio. There is a station for everyone. Moreover, when we travel by plane, airports would be chaotic and have no way to tell who is taking off and landing if not for radio use to control the traffic and make everything run smoothly. Many jobs also have much use of radio needed to communicate with other workers in careers such as law enforcement and trucking. During World War II, the US army needed a simple way to educate and train the new recruits for service. The visual examples that could be shown on an overhead projector were the best way to teach, quickly and easily, these concepts. This application of the overhead was the first for teaching. Since that time, they have been used extensively in schools and businesses to engage stud... ... middle of paper ... ...yone wants. Radar is also frequently used by law enforcement for the detection of speeds to see if passing motorists are speeding. To conclude, while most of these technologies would most likely have been discovered and improved upon without the influence of war the process was sped up to meet the urgency presented with conflicts. Everyone is affected by at least one of these technologies on a daily basis whether it is derived from the materials, weapons, transportation, medical, or communications sectors. Technology allows Americans to live easier lives and although the many soldiers who have served their country did not actually create the technology, their sacrifices that led to the funding and need for improvements. Everyone should think about where their cell phones and computers came from and what others did to give everyone the freedom to use these devices.

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