Cold+War+Science

**Cold War Science** By: Samantha Clougherty **Introduction:**

After being allied in WWII, the United States and The Soviet Union had ignored tensions that were building to a remarkable intensity. Joseph Stalin led the Communist Soviet Union and President Truman led the United States. In an attempt to "contain" Communism, the United States had to make fast advancements in the technological/scientific aspects of life. Defense spending skyrocketed. It became a sort of contest at times, but both sides believed that their strength would be directly reflected in their advancements.

Eisenhower said, The Cold War had produced "two situations unprecedented in American history: the maintenance of a large military while the United States was not officially at war, and the creation and heavy reliance upon a large, permanent armaments industry."

And so, the race began.

**Atomic Science in The Cold War:**

Post WWII is often referred to as the Atomic Age for a variety of reasons. After the Soviet Union saw how much damage the Atomic Bombs did in WWII, the quickly made their own. And to carry out the Containment Theory, Truman thought it was necessary to use military force so he sought out his own advancements.

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 * H-Bombs**

A group of scientists led by Edward Teller approached the military and the Joint Committee on Atomic Energy about its further development. On November 1, 1952 the MIKE test was carried out. A 10.4 megaton hydrogen bomb was detonated. it was not a weapon, just an experiment and the clout it released reached 100 miles high.

The BRAVO Test was done on Bikini Atoll & The Marshall Islands. It was 14.8 megatons, making it the largest nuclear explosion ever tested in the United States. The residents of nearby islands such as Rongelap and Utirik, nearly 200 miles away, were exposed to about 200 rems of radiation. Years later the residents developed thyroid tumors, and the government took responsibility for the diseases and provided compensation to the sick. Many fishing boats suffered extreme radiation burns. The United States was so focused on surpassing the Soviets militarily, that they neglected the hazards that the arms race presented. They were very careless in their approaches.

In August 12, 1953 the Soviets

-MIKE

The rising paranoia about a nuclear war, and the earth's annihilation, changed the domestic US as well. People started building bomb shelters, and stocking up food and supplies.


 * Ernest Lawrence and His Radiation Laboratory**

"There is no limit on what we can do, but we should be discreet about it." - E. Lawrence

Lawrence was a huge contribution to the Cold War.The war brought new funds and freedoms necessary to create new and revolutionary technologies. His annual budget for atomic research went from $85,000 to $3 million in 1944-1945. Lawrence and the army were on good terms because of his help on the Manhattan Project. He spent his time seeking approval by various military boards and groups, and was readily granted permission by them due to his previous success. The military gave control of Nuclear Research to the Atomic Energy Commission, thanks to Lawrence's advances to Congress.

He had created an electron synchrocyclotron with Edwin McMillan. The cyclotron decreased the frequency of the accelerating electric field as the the particles gained energy and mass. It's beam radiated double it's expected energy and was used for nuclear physics. He also created the Beavtron, another cyclotron, that accelerated protons to billions of volts.

These machines helped improve radar/sonar technology. Nuclear science in the Cold War is why we use it to produce electricity today.


 * Space Science in The Cold War(NASA v. SSP): **


 * Sputnik**

The Soviet Space Program used a Soviet R-7 intercontinental ballistic missile to launch the first man made satellite, Sputnik, into orbit in space on October 4, 1957. The launch had huge shock value in the United States. The fear of becoming inferior and allowing a country to surpass our technology set in. There was also a lot of speculation that led the United States to believe that the Soviet Union may have had nuclear weapons in the satellite, which also sparked our military's curiosity.

-Sputnik in orbit

The Soviets launched the first man into space in April 1961.


 * United States In Space**

In response to Sputnik, the US launched Explorer I into space in 1958. Dwight Eisenhower created the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), whose sole purpose was to learn about and explore space. The main goal was to find military potential in space.

In May 1961, after Alan Shepard became the first American in space, JFK declared that the US would reach the moon, and sure enough, 8 years later Neil Armstrong landed on the moon on Apollo 11's mission. The US citizens saw the astronauts as heroes and the Soviet Union became even more of an enemy.

media type="youtube" key="HCt1BwWE2gA" width="425" height="350" -Neil Armstrong's first steps on the moon

Satellites that were placed in s[ace during the Cold War are what we use for GPS today.

All aspects of life were affected by the Cold War; the governments, militaries, and inventors took full advantage of the sudden urge to progress in both the big picture as well as the small picture. Though advancements were being made in the military and in space, there were also some being made at home. Things that we still use today such as the microwave ovens, refrigerator, radio, jet planes, radar, computers/internet, ballistic missiles and missile guidance systems were all improved upon. Also, the medical advancements of this time pushed America to the top.
 * Advancements at Home/Miscellaneous: **


 * GPS**

These revolutionary tacking devices were used to find the position of men in space during their expeditions to the moon. The invention was so groundbreaking that it remained classified until 1983. The first GPS was designed by the Navy, called the Transit. We now use them daily for cell phones, TomToms, etc.

These satellites are used for tracking missiles, sending/recieving radio waves, and GPS.


 * Velcro**



This designed was created during the space race. It was intended to save astronauts time when they were getting in and out of their space suits; they didn't have time to fiddle around with zippers and laces while being cramped in the tiny space shuttle. This hook-and-loop fastener was created by George de Mestral.


 * Medicinal Improvements**

Most medical imaging technology originates from the cold war. CAT scans, MRI's and other nuclear isotope imaging. Birth Control Pills, Epidurals, and the ability to induce labor were created during this time, giving women more power and freedom to decide for themselves. Allergies and allergic reactions were finally treated with antihistamines. Many vaccines were made for diseases such as the measles, polio and rubella. DNA and its structure were discovered.


 * Ballistic Missiles**



These were new, powerful missiles can travel farther than any before them. They follow a specific flight path and their route cannot be altered after the fuel has burned out. The United States have Ballistic Missiles that range from Intercontinental to short range.


 * Significance: **

The Cold War brought science to a new light. Both the United States and Soviet Union made drastic improvements in science and technology fields such as space, atomic/nuclear science, medicine, etc. These discoveries would never have been made if both countries hadn't been in a huge competition/race. The need to be superior drove both countries into new ages that had unheard of research, most of which was funded by the government. Without the curiosity and interest of people in the Cold War, however, it would have been a waste of time. The fear of being inferior and in danger also helped these advancements move along.


 * Impact: **

The Cold War was an age of new and advanced sciences and technologies. It sparked interest of both the United States and the Soviet Union, thus igniting the wave of new inventions and improvements. Most of which, we still see in use today. Things we use everyday such as cell phones and GPS are the result of the satellites in space. The Soviet Union gained a taste of democracy when they made decisions for themselves and gained freedom on research of new scientific and technological improvements. The United States, however, nuclear weapon research was seen s a hindrance to democracy in the United States.

Works Cited

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//"Cold War Science." AIP. American Institute of Physics, 2012. Web. 24 Apr 2012. .//

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//Pynn, James. "The Cold War & GPS." Artipot. Artipot, Mar 6, 2010. Web. 23 Apr 2012. .//

//"Top 10 Military Inventions." LowVARates. LowVARates, Wednesday, July 22nd, 2009. Web. 24 Apr 2012. .//

Yakovlev, Alexander N. //A Century of Violence in Soviet Russia//. 1st ed. Harrisonburg, Virginia: Yale University, 2000. 103-131. Print.