Prewar dreadnought development can be divided into rough generations, each shaped by a new benchmark. The first generation answered HMS Dreadnought, while the next reacted chiefly to the Orion class and to other navies' plans for larger ships. Britain tried to move first at each step so that it retained numerical and technological superiority. Development therefore appears as a series of responses to changing standards instead of one uninterrupted climb in size.
Notable Point · 17:29-18:16
Dreadnought generations and moving benchmarks
The first dreadnought generation answered HMS Dreadnought, while the next responded chiefly to the Orion class and other navies' plans for larger ships.