Innovators and Consumers: The Culture of Innovation and Use of Military Technology in the 21st Century

Abstract

A particular technological application makes its way to the battlefield for use in multiple ways. Innovation does not happen in a vacuum. There are important cultural, economic, social, and political influences which impact the push-pull process and determine what piece of technology is dedicated to a particular use and how it is used. The history of technological innovation must be understood in order to recognize the strengths and pitfalls of the process, especially in an era when mistakes can lead to unprecedented consequences. Part one: Learning from experience: the intersection of technology and warfare Part two: The contemporary culture of military innovation