The Tools of War: Everything That Fought, Won, and Lost World War I & II

Each week we will select and examine a technology that cut its teeth in the two most destructive and technologically creative wars of the twentieth century in a course that combines military history with science, engineering, principles of industrial design, and even human psychology.  We will begin by looking at how a technology was originally conceived, developed, and used, before following up by looking at how the opposing side responded to its use and looking at its overall impact on the wars. As a part of this process we will not only look at the science behind these technologies, but the way they affected real people through images and primary sources. Once a month, we will have "Fools of War Day" where we will specifically look at all the ideas that accidentally exploded, backfired, and otherwise failed spectacularly. 

Each session covers a standalone topic, chosen by the instructor from more than 100 lessons, and students can join at any time. With more still being added so students can take for more than two years without coming across repeats! 

October 2024:
- week of 9/30-10/6: World War II Super Tanks
- week of 10/7-10/13: Maxim guns
- week of 10/14-10/20: Hurricane fighters
- week of 10/21-10/27: Enigma cryptography
- week of 10/28-11/3: U.S. Carriers (early WWII)

November 2024:
- week of 11/4-11/10: Gustav Rail Guns
- week of 11/11-11/17: how tanks get built, pt 1
- week of 11/18-11/24: how tanks get built, pt 2
- week of 11/25-12/1: U.S. Carriers (late WWII)

December 2024:
- week of 12/2-12/8: The Ross Rifle
- week of 12/9-12/15: Hellcats
- week of 12/16-12/22: Dreadnoughts
- week of 12/23-12/29: Cromwell Tanks

January 2025:
- week of 12/30-1/5: Bren Guns
- week of 1/6-1/12: The Kamikaze
- week of 1/13-1/19: Radar
- week of 1/20-1/26: WWI British Tanks
- week of 1/27-2/2: Poison Gas

February 2025:
- week of 2/2-2/8: Microwave Death Ray
- week of 2/9-2/15: Super Battleships pt 1
- week of 2/16-2/22: Super Battleships pt 2
- week of 2/23-3/1: Gloster Meteor

March 2025:
- week of 3/2-3/8: Italian Tanks
- week of 3/9-3/15: Flying Boats
- week of 3/16-3/22: Soviet DB-27 LMG
- week of 3/23-3/30: M-26 Pershing

April 2025:
- week of 3/31-4/5: v-1 flying bombs
- week of 4/6-4/12: Destroyers
- week of 4/13-4/19: Mosquito Bombers
- week of 4/20-4/26: unconventional explosives
- week of 4/28-5/3: German machine pistols

One last note: for the safety of all of our students, and to ensure that I can work with each student effectively, I do require students have their cameras turned on and be visible at all times. Students who cannot comply will be moved to the waiting room.