Now the real fruits of human nature – the arts, sciences, great enterprises, lofty conceptions, manly virtues – are due especially to the state of war. […] In a word, we can say that blood is the manure of the plant we call genius.
Joseph de Maistre
Orion's Cold Fire
All the Secrets of the Universe and Some Really Important Stuff Too!
War is the father of invention.
The reason we went from linen-covered crates that barely flew to a moon landing in less than 70 years is that the 20th century was a century of heavy warfare. Military R&D gave us digital computers, the internet, mass flight, night vision, GPS, telemetry which allows remote viewing of vital signs in hospitals, lasers, nuclear power, data storage in multi terra giga bytes, etc, etc, etc.
It’s true. War is a powerful stimulant for innovation.