The Art of Manliness #235: The Curious Science of War
Sep 16, 2016
Join Mary Roach, a captivating author known for her explorations in science and military history, as she dives into the quirky world of military research. Discover how uniforms are designed for comfort and protection, the surprising threat of diarrhea in warfare, and the longstanding quest to conquer sleep deprivation. Roach shares tales of bizarre innovations, including the infamous stink bomb project, and unpacks the serious implications of soldier health, from recovery challenges to groundbreaking medical advancements for veterans.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Clothing Is A Multidisciplinary Science
- Military clothing research at Natick integrates flame resistance, chemical protection, insect repellent, and design for morale.
- Designs must balance technical protection with wearer comfort and appearance to maintain morale.
Blasts Need New Dummies
- Vehicle blast testing required new biofidelic crash dummies because automotive dummies don't model underbody blasts.
- Cadaver tests calibrated injury thresholds to design dummies that predict real blast injuries.
Cadavers Calibrated Blast Injuries
- Aberdeen Proving Ground used cadavers seated on a platform over buried explosives to study blast injuries.
- Researchers autopsied cadavers to map injuries and calibrate test dummies for vehicle design.