Historians categorize eras of human civilization by the technologies those civilizations possessed, and so science and technology have always been hand in hand with progress and evolution. Our group investigated chemical weapon use in the First World War because we viewed the event as the inevitable result of technology outpacing contemporary understanding. Along with the main investigation, this IQP overviewed WPI’s Great War related activities between 1914 and 1918. Further, this IQP includes an exhibition of World War I era artifacts, both to commemorate the centennial anniversary of the armistice and to gather data on modern interpretations of the conflict. We concluded that World War I is a prime example of the duality of science, and serves to warn against the misuse of technology.

• This report represents the work of one or more WPI undergraduate students submitted to the faculty as evidence of completion of a degree requirement. WPI routinely publishes these reports on its website without editorial or peer review.

Creator

• Hughes, John Edward
• Houghton, Cory Edward
• Kaminski, Matthew
• Kaminski, Adam

Subject

• Culture
• Learning
• Community

Publisher

• Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Identifier

• E-project-030219-200208

Keyword

• History
• Science--Study and teaching

Advisor

• Spanagel, David I.

Year

• 2019

Date created

• 2019-03-02

Location

• Worcester

Resource type

• Interactive Qualifying Project

Rights statement

• In Copyright