![]() To provide extra defence, concrete armoured plates became a popular method of reinforcing defensive positions. ![]() Local wars of the late 19 th century proved that national defences should constantly be improved – otherwise, a well-armoured enemy could easily breach a nation's fortifications. Later, fortresses in many countries would be equipped with such turrets. One year later, the Belgium military engineer Alexis Brialmont suggested equipping the Antwerp fortress with armoured turret emplacements. Originally used for fleet armouring and fortification purposes, in 1856, the Russian mechanic Vasily Pyatov invented the first rolling mill for armour plates. ArmourĮngineering successes in the 19 th century facilitated the development of metallurgical engineering and armoured plating for tanks. But for the tanks to survive the hazards of armed combat, they would also need to be protected from enemy bullets and shells. The age of steam engines was coming to a close, and the future tanks had received their "heart”. Maybach developed the gasoline carburettor engine, while Rudolf Diesel became famous seven years later for developing an engine of his own design (take a guess as to what he named it!). Although the Russian scientist Dmitry Mendeleev was rather doubtful about using petroleum, it was adopted. However, crude oil refining has replaced them. First of all, it was planned to use spirits or turpentine. The combustion engine was the very thing to improve the situation, as it had been improved upon by many talented engineers for more than a century.Īt the same time, chemists were developing a proper fuel for the new engine. Nevertheless, their drawbacks had become obvious – significant consumption and a large boiler increased the vehicle size severely. In the middle of the 19 th century, steam trucks were used for the purpose of military supply. Although it had a rather limited capacity (10 horsepower), that was enough to change the world.Įngineers tried to equip railless vehicles (including military ones) with steam engines apart from steam trains. The Scotsman James Watt patented the first steam machine in the 18 th century. The first steam turbines were developed a long time ago in the Middle Ages. However, they would have never become so popular had it not been for the steam engine. Tracks unlocked the potential of standard wheels by increasing their crossing capacity. For example, according to a certain blueprint, it was planned to equip the Ilya Muromets heavy bomber with tracks so it could take off from any surface. The blueprints were often based on manufactured vehicles, and some of them were rather weird. ![]() Many tracked vehicles were used during World War I. Long before creating the first tanks, track suspensions had spread worldwide (for example, the scientist Robert Scott used it in the Antarctic). Starting from the early 19 th century, dozens of engineers, working independently of each other, worked on creating and improving different track designs. Though, he did not patent his invention, nevertheless, the new suspension principle has never been forgotten. Others believe that Richard Lovell Edgeworth was the first to lock track wheels with chains half a century later. Some of them believe that the French engineer d'Hermand introduced the “new type track” in 1713 – this track featured a chain of log rollers. Historians are not sure who was the first to invent tracks. They are as follows: The Track Running Gear However, the solution was ahead: a new revolutionary weapon – a demon of technological warfare that was being developed in British armouries, and would one day become known as the tank.įour technological inventions linked by one ground were required to create this armoured vehicle. Day by day, week by week, the war toiled on, seemingly without end. For many months soldiers have engaged in the horrors of trench warfare, resulting in large-scale attacks that lead to thousands of dead soldiers for at most a few hundred metres gained.
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