Veterans Day salute: surprising gadgets from wars

Today in the USA, we honor our soldiers. While today’s soldiers are usually outfitted in the latest gadget gear we all know about, Gadgetell takes a look back at previous generations of gadgets. Our findings might surprise you.

Motorola intros the WWII RAZR

Meet the Moto SCR-536. Imagine the soldiers dancing in a foxhole when the CO calls with the “Hello Moto” ringtone blares. OK, maybe not. But this is the real deal, the Handie-Talkie was the world’s first two-way AM radio. It weighted just under 7 lbs and had an 8-hour talk time. I’ll avoid any comparisons to Moto’s current line up, feel free to make your own and chuckle. Moto’s device was way ahead of the competition and up to 26lbs lighter. Way out in front.

Google War Maps?

Um, no. But similar. Introduced in 2006, DARPA’s TIGR (Tactical Ground Reporting System) replaces stale map information with a multimedia display that has become a patrolling soldier’s best friend (or at least one of them). The map is continually updated with info from other patrols, historical significance of problem areas, icons, etc. Months of data is presented helping troops pick the best routes, become aware of danger zones and being as prepared information-wise for duty.

Where would KFC be with this?

Lore has it the spork (half spoon, half fork) was created out of necessity during the Civil War. The original utensil also added in a knife for cutting in addition to the scooping and stabbing features of the spoon and fork. It is not clear if the spork is, in fact, the reason the North won.

A phone, a map and a spork. What more is needed? Happy Veterans Day.