Have you ever wondered how embarrassing the contributions of the masters of the Republic of China were in the face of Japanese aggression?
The intellectuals of the time were keen on literature and art, and on the battlefield of reality, these things were useless. If you want to talk about the achievement of hegemony, the really useful ones are the masters of the four major industries of biochemical machinery. Weizmann's acetone synthesis, Harper's ammonia manufacturing, K1 alloy steel from Krupp, and the development of breeding technology are the cornerstones of a strong country.
Weizmann
When it comes to the chemical industry, it is impossible not to mention Weizmann.
He was the leader of Zionism and the first president of Israel.
During World War I, Weizmann solved the problem of mass production of acetone in Britain, a breakthrough that greatly supported the British military industry. At the time, acetone was a key ingredient in the manufacture of smokeless gunpowder, and Britain faced a severe shortage of acetone in the early days of the war. Weizmann invented a new acetone fermentation method, which greatly improved the efficiency of acetone production.
Weizmann's contributions were not only evident in the field of chemistry, but he also exerted great influence on politics. As a result of his contributions, the British government pledged in the Balfour Declaration to support the establishment of a Jewish homeland. This declaration not only changed the landscape of the Middle East, but also laid the foundation for the establishment of Israel. It can be said that Weizmann used chemical technology not only to save Britain, but also to change the political map of the whole world.
Harper
Let's look at the achievements of the German chemist Harper.
Harper's invention of a way to make ammonia from the air solved Germany's shortage of explosives during World War I and had a profound impact on agricultural production. Ammonia is a key ingredient in the manufacture of ammonium nitrate explosives, and Harper's method makes ammonia production cheaper and more efficient.
Harper's invention enabled Germany to obtain a continuous supply of explosives during the war, greatly enhancing the combat capability of the German army. This technology not only changed the pattern of the war, but also provided a technical basis for the production of agricultural fertilizers after the war, which greatly promoted the improvement of agricultural productivity. Harper's contribution demonstrates the dual importance of chemical technology in times of war and peace.
Krupp: The miracle of K1 alloy steel
When it comes to materials science, Krupp is a legend.
The German company invented K1 alloy steel, which significantly improved the quality of warships and artillery. K1 alloy steel not only has high hardness and strong corrosion resistance, but also performs steadily at high temperatures, allowing warships and artillery to maintain excellent performance in a variety of extreme conditions.
Krupp's technological breakthroughs have led countries to buy their patented technologies to improve their armaments. The diffusion of this technology has enhanced Germany's military strength and has also had a profound impact on the development of global military science and technology. The invention of K1 alloy steel can be called a great miracle in the history of materials science.
Vickers and Schneider
The British company Vickers and the French company Schneider also made significant contributions to armor technology.
Vickers invented steel armor, while Schneider invented steel wrought iron composite armor. These technologies have greatly improved the protection capabilities of navies, making warships more robust in the face of artillery fire.
The armor technology of Vickers and Schneider has greatly improved the protection capability of the navies of various countries and provided solid technical support for modern naval warfare. These technologies not only changed the pattern of naval warfare, but also promoted the development of armored technology, which greatly benefited both armored vehicles and warships in modern warfare.
The development of muskets and machine guns
The development of muskets and machine guns in the mechanical industry dramatically changed the face of warfare.
From the end of the 19th century to the beginning of the 20th century, the rate of fire of muskets continued to increase, and machine guns gradually became widespread. The advent of these weapons has led to a fundamental change in infantry tactics, and the density of firepower has been greatly enhanced.
The development of muskets and machine guns made every soldier on the battlefield more powerful. This change not only enhanced the combat capability of individual soldiers, but also changed the tactical layout of the entire war. Mechanized troops in modern warfare have grown up on the basis of these technological developments.
Li Hongzhang and the lessons of the Russo-Japanese War
Li Hongzhang's performance in the First Sino-Japanese War also reflected the importance of mechanized weapons.
The Huai army failed to adapt to the changes in weapons and suffered a crushing defeat in the First Sino-Japanese War. On the contrary, although Nogi Noshinori used the old tactics in the Russo-Japanese War, he was still able to achieve certain results with the support of mechanized weapons.
The experiences of Li Hongzhang and Nogi Noshinori reveal a harsh reality: no matter how clever the tactics, victory is still out of reach without advanced mechanized weapons. This also warns us that in modern warfare, the renewal and development of mechanized weapons is the key factor in determining the outcome of a war.
Breeding techniques: from the field to the battlefield
The application of biotechnology in warfare is often overlooked.
In fact, the development of breeding technology has had a profound impact on the army's mobility and firepower transportation capabilities. Western countries have bred large horses through breeding technology, which has greatly increased the mobility of the army on the battlefield.
These large horses, which excelled in transporting artillery and ammunition, also provided a powerful shock in battle. The progress of breeding technology has improved the army's logistical support and combat effectiveness. Technological breakthroughs in this field are also an important part of modern warfare.
By comparing the contributions of the masters of the Republic of China with the four major industry masters of the late 19th and early 20th centuries, we can clearly see the importance of science and technology and industry in modern warfare.
The achievements of the masters of the Republic of China in literature and art are certainly admirable, but their contributions are insignificant in the face of the critical moment of the country's survival. On the contrary, those masters in chemistry, materials science, mechanics and biotechnology, with their wisdom and technology, cast the cornerstone of a strong country.
The density of firepower and industrial capacity in modern warfare are the key to determining victory or defeat.
The development of science and technology and industry plays a decisive role in enhancing the country's strength. In the face of future challenges, China must continue to make progress in these areas in order to occupy a place on the international stage.
epilogue
In modern warfare, it is not the masters in the fields of literature and art who really decide the winner, but those in the fields of chemistry, materials science, mechanics and biotechnology. They used their wisdom and technology to change the course of history. In the future, we need more such technology giants in order to be invincible in the fierce international competition.
What do you think about the role of technology and industry in modern warfare?
What do you think China has room for improvement in these areas?
Feel free to share your thoughts and insights in the comments section and let's explore this important topic together.