New weapons revolutionized combat in World War One. Combat morphed from a rapid, noble and relatively ephemeral thing to a new model : trench warfare. This new style of warfare was brought about principally by new technology that arose from the furnaces and factories of industrial Europe. The First World War was said to be the first truly technological war. Many ideas were pioneered over the four years, such as the use of tanks, and new systems of communication. In 1918, the most modern developments of war technology and innovation were in use. However, the rise of technological warfare did not result in fewer deaths or injuries. In fact, some argue that it had quite the opposite effect.

"Facts are mere accessories to the truth, and we do not invite to our hearth the guest who can only remind us that on such a day we suffered calamity. Still less welcome is he who would make a Roman holiday of our misfortunes. Exaggeration of what was monstrous is quickly recognised as a sign of egotism, and that contrarious symptom of the same disease which pretends that what is accepted as monstrous was really little more than normal is equally unwelcome." - Max Plowman from Subaltern on the Somme

This website is designed to inform the public of the weaponry used in World War One and the weapons invented during WWI.