While the Nazis are remembered for their horrific actions during World War II, they were also surprisingly innovative. Several important inventions came out of Nazi Germany in the 1930s and 1940s, impacting various aspects of modern life. Here are ten surprising things the Nazis actually invented.
1. Anti-Ship Guided Missiles
Anti-ship missiles are crucial for national defense. These guided missiles target large military watercraft. The Nazis developed and nearly perfected these missiles with primitive radio command guidance in the late 1930s. By 1943 and 1944, they were successfully used in the Mediterranean Theater, damaging or sinking Allied warships like the Italian battleship Roma and the USS Savannah.
2. Ballistic Missiles
Ballistic missiles launch into the air to deliver warheads. While modern ICBMs can leave the atmosphere, the Nazis focused on bombing closer targets. Wernher von Braun led a Nazi program that developed the A-4 missile, later known as the V-2. In 1942, they successfully launched a V-2 missile. By 1945, over 3,000 V-2s were used against the Allies, marking a permanent change in warfare technology.
3. Jägermeister
Jägermeister, made by the Mast family since 1878, became popular across Nazi Germany in 1935. Curt Mast promoted it as a drink for hunters and a remedy for coughs and digestive issues. Hermann Göring, a top Nazi official, helped popularize it among Third Reich leaders, making it a staple in Germany and eventually worldwide.
4. Fanta
During World War II, Max Keith, head of Coca-Cola GmbH, faced difficulty obtaining Coca-Cola ingredients in Nazi Germany. To meet consumer demand, he invented Fanta, a fruit-flavored drink made from apple fibers. Fanta quickly became popular, selling over three million cases in 1943. After the war, Fanta expanded globally.
5. Night Vision Technology
Though the concept originated in 1929, the Nazis quickly developed and used night vision technology. By 1939, they were using these devices in World War II. By 1943, they equipped Panther tanks with night vision devices for battles across Europe. These tanks saw combat on both the Eastern and Western Fronts, proving to be critically important tools.
6. Chloroquine
Chloroquine, essential for treating malaria, was developed by German scientists. During World War I, the German government sought a quinine alternative. In 1934, Hans Andersag and colleagues at Bayer laboratories discovered chloroquine but initially shelved it due to toxicity. By the early 1940s, the German Africa Corps used a chloroquine analog. The Allies studied it, leading American scientists to perfect chloroquine for safe human use.
7. Jerrycan
The jerrycan, a fuel container made from pressed steel, was developed by the Nazis in the mid-1930s for military use. Holding about 20 liters of fuel, it was efficient and easy to use. Its design allowed for safe and efficient fuel pouring without requiring additional tools, quickly spreading its use among both Nazi and Allied troops during World War II.
8. Polyurethane
Polyurethane, a versatile plastic material, is used in car parts, mattresses, adhesives, and more. Dr. Otto Bayer and his team created polyurethanes in Germany in the late 1930s as a rubber substitute. During World War II, it was used for coatings and tires, eventually becoming a common substance worldwide.
9. Silver Arrows
The “Silver Arrow” refers to sports cars connected to Nazi-era German auto manufacturers. In the early 1930s, Mercedes and Auto Union dominated car racing. Hitler encouraged them to build more powerful cars, leading to Mercedes-Benz’s Silver Arrow racing cars from 1934 to 1939. After the war, the Silver Arrow name was applied to Mercedes’s Formula One racers, becoming iconic to car racing fans.
10. Methadone
Methadone was developed by German scientists working for I.G. Farbenindustrie AG in 1937. They sought a synthetic opioid due to a potential opium and morphine shortage. By 1941, they patented the substance, known as Hoechst 10820 or Polamidon. Approved in 1943, the German Army used it as a morphine substitute. After the war, it became used to counteract addiction, particularly heroin addiction.
While the Nazis are primarily remembered for their destructive actions, it’s surprising to see the lasting impact of their innovations on our modern world. These inventions, developed during a dark period, continue to shape technology, medicine, and everyday life.
What do you think about these inventions? Leave your comment below!
