Military technologies usually develop through a succession of experiments and improvements. Radar had a long theoretical and experimental history before World War II, including discussion before World War I and development during the 1920s and 1930s. The cavity magnetron was an important advance in making radar more practical, within an effort already under way. Torpedoes and their delivery craft likewise developed over time. Professional publications made that work visible, giving attentive institutions a way to follow emerging capabilities.
Notable Point · 22:32-23:36
Military technologies usually mature by evolution rather than surprise
The torpedo-boat threat, like radar, developed through visible stages that gave attentive institutions time to experiment and prepare before the technology became decisive.